In the early Twentieth Century, ‘Singing’ as a formal school subject had extensive presence in Australian schools. A survey of the songs published in school magazines from grades III-VIII across Australia or promoted in policies, curriculum documents or publications for teacher attention reveals that ‘Singing’ was very much linked to Empire-building. In the years before and during the Great War, many recommended songs bore a martial flair and either subtly or overtly called for self-sacrifice and self-denial should a war arise. While these facts may not be of surprise, the songs published and promoted as the war progressed reveal interesting shifts in emphasis: they became increasingly sorrowful and contemplative of the loss of loved ones, and they boasted a greater pride in ‘things Australian’. This paper traces the nature and extent of these shifts. It also draws comparisons with Katharine Kennedy’s recent research into German schools and the songs sung in them across the same period.