Hey true blue, can you bear the load?
Australian artist John Williamson penned the lyric in his famous song True Blue some 43 years ago.
But as Williamson sang at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday ahead of the third Ashes Test, his lyrics assumed fresh poignancy.
Williamson’s latest performance of True Blue came on a day when the first funerals were to be held for the 15 innocent victims killed in last Sunday’s shooting at Sydney‘s iconic Bondi Beach.
‘I firmly have the view we’ve got to keep putting one step after the other and use cricket as a unifying voice,’ Cricket Australia‘s chief executive Todd Greenberg told reporters in Adelaide.
‘(It’s) a real moment in time, particularly with John Williamson playing.
The Adelaide Oval paused for a moment’s silence during the first day of the third Ashes Test to pay tribute to the victims of the Bondi shooting
Australian musician John Williamson (centre) performed his famous song ‘True Blue’ in tribute to the victims ahead of the match
Both Australia and England wore black armbands during the match as the players were seen lining up on the field before the anthem
‘We moved really quickly to make that happen and I’m really glad he’s doing it because it will be a special moment for cricket but also for the country.’
Williamson’s rendition came as shockwaves from the Bondi shooting continued to reverberate.
Adelaide Oval’s flags flew at half-mast; Australian and England cricketers wore black arm-bands as the freshly dubbed ‘Christmas Test’ began as anything but a celebration.
An increased police presence patrolled outside the hallowed sporting venue, some officers equipped with machine guns.
Only kilometres away from Bondi Beach, extra security and police were deployed for the Sydney Sixers’ first home game of the BBL at the SCG on Wednesday night.
Sixers and Adelaide Strikers players wore black armbands and a moment of silence was observed before play in tribute to the victims of Australia’s worst terrorist attack.
‘We stand together with all Australians’ was projected on the stadium’s big screen, before a moment of applause honoured the first responders who risked everything on Sunday night.
Australian Test captain Pat Cummins, who was in Adelaide with the Test squad on Sunday night, lives in the eastern suburbs of Sydney.
The Adelaide Oval’s flags flew at half-mast as Australia and England took to the field
Australia and England had issued a joint tribute earlier in the week, stating: ‘All of our thoughts are with the victims, their friends and families, the Jewish community and the people of Australia at this deeply distressing time’
Williamson, who has described True Blue as a song for all Australians, regardless of background, sang after one minute’s silence at Adelaide Oval
Sixers and Adelaide Strikers players wore black armbands and a moment of silence was observed before play in tribute to the victims of Australia’s worst terrorist attack
‘We stand together with all Australians’ was projected on the stadium’s big screen, before a moment of applause honoured the first responders who risked everything on Sunday night
‘Like most other Aussies, I was just horrified watching on,’ Cummins said on match eve.
‘We take the kids there all the time.’
England captain Ben Stokes said: ‘It does put things into a lot of perspective.
‘For everyone it’s affected, all our hearts go out to everyone. It’s a horrible thing to see.’
Australia and England had issued a joint tribute earlier in the week.
‘Everybody at Cricket Australia and the England & Wales Cricket Board is horrified by the tragic events at Bondi Beach yesterday evening,’ the statement read.
‘All of our thoughts are with the victims, their friends and families, the Jewish community and the people of Australia at this deeply distressing time.
‘Our condolences go out to all those affected. We stand with you.’
Williamson, who has described True Blue as a song for all Australians, regardless of background, sang after one minute’s silence at Adelaide Oval.
After most in the crowd stood motionless, heads bowed, others started singing along.
Hey true blue, can you bear the load?