Post by JDPost by The Mullen ®yes, that's why he did it...., he could have sung anything really, such
as Vera Lynn's We'll Meet Again, but what was the significance of this
song?
http://www.nla.gov.au/epubs/waltzingmatilda/
" 'Waltzing Matilda' is Australia's best known and much loved
national song.
Post by JDIt is recognised by every Australian, and has attained international status
as the nation's unofficial national anthem."
Speaking of Waltzing Matilda, not long ago I obtained a CD of a vintage
live performance by the classic US folk group, The New Christy
Minstrels (one of the original members was of course Barry McGuire, who
had a #1 hit with "Eve Of Destruction" in 1965). It was recorded
somewhere in the Los Angeles area circa mid 1960s, I believe, with the
original, most famous of lineups that featured Nick Woods, Art Podell,
Barry Kane, Barry McGuire, Larry Ramos and of course group leader Randy
Sparks, among others. One of the numbers the group performed was a
truly enjoyable interpretation of "Waltzing Matilda"--it's the single
best version I have ever heard, complete with witty, humurous
translations of Australian-speak interspersed with lively singing and
playing. The entire rendition ends with a serious choral arrangement
with audience participation. Quite a gem of a vintage live performance
by the Christies.
"The Acoustic Guitar Solitaire Of Inyo"--I play 23 solo, acoustic,
instrumental 6-string guitar versions of some of my favorite songs--all
available for free download in 128kbps MP3 format. Also, I've included
a new feature--a Podcast (or Cybercast, if you will--a streaming and
downloadable MP3 audio file) I call "It's A Happening Thing" that
features music exclusively from the year 1967: 45rpm records that made
the US Billboard charts top 100, plus album cuts from various artists,
as well.
http://members.aol.com/geowrs/music/inyocybercd.html
If you don't know the meaning of the song 'Waltzing Matilda' it is really
simple.
A man goes up to a sheep farm, steals some sheep, is accused of the theft by
the owner of the sheep and the police but rather than face the consequence
of being a thief he commits suicide.
We are a strange bunch Down Under as we make a hero out of a sheep-stealing
thief who commits suicide rather than face up to his actions and a police
murdering bushranger who was hung for his crimes. (like Jesse James).
They are heroes because they thumb their noses at authority.
I am waiting for the day when a young Aussie says to the magistrate/judge 'I
did it because I was taught that it was the right thing to do in Waltzing
Matilda or because of the bushrangers who are the heroes rather than the
enforcers of the law who are portrayed as oppressors.
Personally I hate Waltzing Matilda but you are right in that it is the
unofficial national song as more Aussies know the words to that than know
the words to Advance Australia Fair.