| [ Total Views: 844 | Total Replies: 23 | Thread Id: 76091 ] |
|
|
 Bookwus
Seriously Crusin Dubber
Posts: 120
Threads: 5
Registered: August 30th, 2007
Member Is Offline
Location: City of Roses
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on April 22nd, 2009 at 05:05 PM |
|
|
Waltzing Matilda
Hiya All,
OK, since this is General Chit Chat........... I love folk music and I can think of no better piece of folk music than Waltzing Matilda. But it
makes me wonder how this song is perceived in Australia. So, with your kind indulgence, a few questions.....
Does most everybody in Oz know the lyrics to Waltzing Matilda?
Does the story within the song have any special significance to you? To Australians in general?
How would you describe the use of the song? It's a drinking song. It's a quasi national anthem. It's just a song.
What do you think of when you hear Waltzing Matilda?
And anything else you might wish to add would be appreciated.
|
|
|
LUFTMEISTER
Veteran Volks Folk
Posts: 2041
Threads: 119
Registered: July 13th, 2005
Member Is Offline
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: BRISVEGAS in a state of flux
|
| posted on April 22nd, 2009 at 05:14 PM |
|
|
It's an Aussie song, so it has to be good
If you really knew the song then you would be able to tell me the Swagmans first name then?
Customer service is not dead in Australia.
Always after HAZET & MATRA & VW factory tools
|
|
|
beetleboyjeff
A.k.a.: Jeff Walsh
Custom Title Time!
Posts: 1777
Threads: 40
Registered: February 13th, 2009
Member Is Offline
Location: Port Macquarie
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Drive bugs hard
|
| posted on April 22nd, 2009 at 05:24 PM |
|
|
His first name is Andy.
From your ole' mate Jeff
|
|
|
donn
Wolfsburg Elder
Posts: 3515
Threads: 428
Registered: November 30th, 2005
Member Is Offline
Location: NEWCASTLE NSW
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue
Mood: LAID BACK AND CONFUSED
|
| posted on April 22nd, 2009 at 05:41 PM |
|
|
Does most everybody in Oz know the lyrics to Waltzing Matilda? CAN'T ANSWER FOR ALL BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER NOT KNOWING IT.
Does the story within the song have any special significance to you? To Australians in general? NO REAL SIGNIFICANCE TO ME EXCEPT THAT I IDENTIFY IT
AS UNIQUELY AUSTRALIAN.
How would you describe the use of the song? It's a drinking song. It's a quasi national anthem. It's just a song. QUASI NATIONAL.
What do you think of when you hear Waltzing Matilda? HMM, MAYBE I THINK OF GUM TREES AND SMALL OUTBACK RIVERS, CAN'T REALY SAY THAT I THINK OF
ANYTHING DEFINITE BUT IT DOES GET ME FEELING THAT IT'S GOOD TO BE AN AUSIE
Not yelling just trying to make the answers stand out from the questions.
It makes me feel a bit like when I hear the last post on Anzac day sorta proud and humble at the same time.
I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!
|
|
|
Bookwus
Seriously Crusin Dubber
Posts: 120
Threads: 5
Registered: August 30th, 2007
Member Is Offline
Location: City of Roses
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on April 22nd, 2009 at 05:57 PM |
|
|
Hiya DUBB,
| Quote: | Originally
posted by beetleboyjeff
His first name is Andy.
|
As in, "Andy sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled"?
LOL Pretty good!
|
|
|
Bookwus
Seriously Crusin Dubber
Posts: 120
Threads: 5
Registered: August 30th, 2007
Member Is Offline
Location: City of Roses
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on April 22nd, 2009 at 05:59 PM |
|
|
Hiya donn,
Thanks! That's exactly the kind of info this Yank needs.
|
|
|
Bookwus
Seriously Crusin Dubber
Posts: 120
Threads: 5
Registered: August 30th, 2007
Member Is Offline
Location: City of Roses
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on April 22nd, 2009 at 06:03 PM |
|
|
Hiya All,
Just thought of one more question about Waltzing Matilda.........
When you hear this song............is it usually played uptempo or is it played more slowly?
|
|
|
amazeer
A.k.a.: Surly Duff
Bishop of Volkswagenism
Posts: 3029
Threads: 387
Registered: November 14th, 2005
Member Is Offline
Location: Wollongong
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: bitter
|
| posted on April 22nd, 2009 at 06:51 PM |
|
|
every body knows the chorus, most people would know the words with backing vocals, I dont think most people would be able to sing it on their own.
I dont think the story has any significance
Its a patriotism song, mainly used at sporting events, especially international rugby. The #1 drinking song/quasi national anthem is khe sanh,
misheard lyrics included. we leaving our hearts to the salvos and flying on trains from sydney to hong kong cos we're stupid aussies and we cant see
that that would be absurd.
Its usually played at the slow speed as a singalong. If you're at a bush dance its faster, more irish reel tempo, as is most ye olde time australian
folk. Cos back in the days we were mostly irish. Irish convicts or Irish refugees fleeing the bastard english.
Its a bit sappy but True Blue, by John WIlliamson is another quazi anthem. Lets face it, anything is better than Advance Australia Fair. Personally
I'd like to have We Cant Be Beaten by Rose Tattoo, but sadly its only fitting at swimming pools these days.
 
|
|
|
Proud_Dad
Seriously Crusin Dubber
Posts: 151
Threads: 26
Registered: July 23rd, 2005
Member Is Offline
Location: Newcastle
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on April 22nd, 2009 at 08:34 PM |
|
|
What about Working Class Man and Flame Trees
Hell just put down Cold Chisel!!
|
|
|
beetleboyjeff
A.k.a.: Jeff Walsh
Custom Title Time!
Posts: 1777
Threads: 40
Registered: February 13th, 2009
Member Is Offline
Location: Port Macquarie
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Drive bugs hard
|
| posted on April 22nd, 2009 at 08:39 PM |
|
|
Peter Allen's 'I still call Australia home' would have to be right up there.
From your ole' mate Jeff
|
|
|
phatratpat
Fahrvergnugen
Posts: 958
Threads: 26
Registered: March 6th, 2005
Member Is Offline
Location: brisbane nth
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: when the bug bites it bites HARD ! ! !
|
| posted on April 22nd, 2009 at 08:44 PM |
|
|
its just the Australian way that we love a song about a suicidal thief
|
|
|
donn
Wolfsburg Elder
Posts: 3515
Threads: 428
Registered: November 30th, 2005
Member Is Offline
Location: NEWCASTLE NSW
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue
Mood: LAID BACK AND CONFUSED
|
| posted on April 22nd, 2009 at 09:01 PM |
|
|
Peter Allen's 'I still call Australia home' smacks of so much hippocrasy (spelling?) that I can't even listen to it, he left the land of Oz and to
my knowledge never came back, he lost all claims to call this land home. Now "I come from the land down under' realy gets me singing along.
I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!
|
|
|
beetleboyjeff
A.k.a.: Jeff Walsh
Custom Title Time!
Posts: 1777
Threads: 40
Registered: February 13th, 2009
Member Is Offline
Location: Port Macquarie
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Drive bugs hard
|
| posted on April 22nd, 2009 at 09:14 PM |
|
|
True. It is the only song that has won the America's Cup.
From your ole' mate Jeff
|
|
|
Wannavee
Insano Dub Head
Posts: 729
Threads: 53
Registered: September 7th, 2008
Member Is Offline
Theme: UltimaBB Psyche Blue
|
| posted on April 22nd, 2009 at 10:33 PM |
|
|
Waltzing Matilda=Australia......'nuff said
If ya dont love it,!@#$ off!
|
|
|
LUFTMEISTER
Veteran Volks Folk
Posts: 2041
Threads: 119
Registered: July 13th, 2005
Member Is Offline
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: BRISVEGAS in a state of flux
|
| posted on April 22nd, 2009 at 10:41 PM |
|
|
Andy answered the question
In 2000 I was driving across Death valley with a mate and the radio played Down under and we were singing so loud and crying I will always rememeber
that moment of the trip. My top Aussie 5
1/ Down under 2/ still call australia 3/ waltzing matilda 4/ Australiana 5/ Long way to the shop
Customer service is not dead in Australia.
Always after HAZET & MATRA & VW factory tools
|
|
|
Phil74Camper
Son of Jim - Creator of Good
Head in the Clouds
Posts: 2703
Threads: 193
Registered: August 28th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Sydney
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on April 23rd, 2009 at 08:24 AM |
|
|
There is something about Waltzing Matilda that tugs at Australian heart strings - not sure what it is. The story of a suicidal swagman! Banjo
Patterson wrote the lyrics in 1895, when he was staying at the Dagworth homestead in QLD, as a tribute to the Great Shearers' Strike that had
occurred in the area the previous year. The tune was based on a Celtic folk tune called The Craigeelee.
'Matilda' is not a person, but is the nickname for the swagman's bundle, his swag. 'Waltzing' is not the dance, but refers to the practice of
travelling and working for different masters over a period of time, as carpenters often did. In fact Waltzing Matilda is not in 3/4 time - it isn't a
waltz.
There is second version of Waltzing Matilda - the so-called QLD version - that uses a completely different tune and slightly different words
('leading the water bag'). That one is nowhere near as popular, although I do remember learning to play it on the recorder at school.
Waltzing Matilda was just a locally popular song until it was used by the Billy Tea company as an advertising jingle in 1910, after which it became
nationally famous. In 1961 Jack O'Hagan wrote new lyrics to the traditional tune, and created a new song called 'God Bless Australia', intended as
a possible new national anthem. Sung to the tune of Waltzing Matilda, the chorus went:
God bless Australia, Our land Australia,
Home of the Anzac, the strong and the free
It's our homeland, our own land,
To cherish for eternity,
God bless Australia, The land of the free.
One really emotional version (particularly around Anzac Day), is called 'When The Band Played Watzing Matilda' by Eric Bogle. It's about a WW1
veteran, crippled at Gallipoli, and his reflections on war and the march every Anzac Day. As year follows year, more old men disappear, soon no one
will march there at all. And the band played Waltzing Matilda... I can't listen to it without getting a lump in my throat.
|
|
|
Proud_Dad
Seriously Crusin Dubber
Posts: 151
Threads: 26
Registered: July 23rd, 2005
Member Is Offline
Location: Newcastle
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on April 23rd, 2009 at 06:50 PM |
|
|
One that always seems to quieten the room is "I was only 19"
|
|
|
squizy
A.k.a.: Paul
Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber
Thinking about another dub...maybe
Posts: 4082
Threads: 243
Registered: December 17th, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: Thornleigh
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue
|
| posted on April 23rd, 2009 at 10:08 PM |
|
|
Think of how you feel when you first hear "Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light....", and then you'll get the idea what it means. I think
to most Australians, Waltzing Matilda means more than Advance Australia Fair due to it's passionate nature.
Personally, this is my favourite.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiEycVMKoJo
|
|
|
kombivw
A.k.a.: David
Wolfsburg Wizard
Posts: 463
Threads: 54
Registered: March 9th, 2009
Member Is Offline
Location: Sydney
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on April 24th, 2009 at 03:28 AM |
|
|
Cant knock Matilda but my fav has to be gangajangs "sound of then" thats is true blue song and who does not like Australiana by Mr austin lol
|
|
|
h
A.k.a.: Towely BuMpEr KING! ILLegal ALIEN on a roadtrip
Scirocco Rare
fractals - an ever changing lifestyle
Posts: 7671
Threads: 375
Registered: February 3rd, 2005
Member Is Offline
Location: noosa hillbilly 'yee har'
Theme: XMBX Pro Green
Mood: A T3 is not a Kombi - stop waving at me
|
| posted on April 24th, 2009 at 08:52 AM |
|
|
I know most of the song and it is primarily about 'stealing' which is a foundation of our foundation
how else did most of our forefathers want of arrival here..
|
|
|
GeorgeL
Officially Full-On Dubber
Posts: 231
Threads: 11
Registered: February 5th, 2006
Member Is Offline
Location: 7200 miles off the Queensland coast
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on April 24th, 2009 at 03:09 PM |
|
|
| Quote: | Originally
posted by squizy
Think of how you feel when you first hear "Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light....",
|
Hmm, I feel that it was a poem written by a guy who happened to be sitting on a British ship during the battle and who was on his way to beg the
British for the release of certain wealthy Continental prisoners. I also feel that the tune was stolen from an old British drinking song.
Few icons stand up to close scrutiny!
At least "Waltzing Matilda" is honest bit of songwriting. It's also the official march of the 1st Division of the US Marine Corps. 
|
|
|
donn
Wolfsburg Elder
Posts: 3515
Threads: 428
Registered: November 30th, 2005
Member Is Offline
Location: NEWCASTLE NSW
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue
Mood: LAID BACK AND CONFUSED
|
| posted on April 24th, 2009 at 04:41 PM |
|
|
It's also the official march of the 1st Division of the US Marine Corps.
More on this if you will.
Thanks
Don
I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!
|
|
|
Bookwus
Seriously Crusin Dubber
Posts: 120
Threads: 5
Registered: August 30th, 2007
Member Is Offline
Location: City of Roses
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on April 25th, 2009 at 03:42 AM |
|
|
Hiya George,
It's interesting that The Star Spangled Banner is brought up. You are absolutely correct concerning the facts behind the origination of the song.
Moreover, it is a very tough song to sing well. Even though it is traditionally played before sporting events, I doubt that most Americans know the
complete lyrics. There is a movement afoot to replace it with America, the Beautiful or some other song. That will likely not happen, but it does
give one an idea of how this song is received in the USA.
This is why I asked the questions about Waltzing Matilda in the first place. I wanted to know how you in Australia regarded the song. How it's
accepted and played. If I'm going to sing it, I think I should know what it means to the people to whom it belongs.
|
|
|
GeorgeL
Officially Full-On Dubber
Posts: 231
Threads: 11
Registered: February 5th, 2006
Member Is Offline
Location: 7200 miles off the Queensland coast
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on April 25th, 2009 at 10:15 AM |
|
|
| Quote: | Originally
posted by donn
It's also the official march of the 1st Division of the US Marine Corps.
More on this if you will.
Thanks
Don
|
http://www.ww2gyrene.org/spotlight_1stmardiv.htm
Scroll down to the first two photographs and read the bit between them.
In short, the Aussies must have shown these fellows a great time between their deployments in Guadalcanal and New Britain!
|
|
|
