bulletman
15 Answers
FISH-O
I thought Billibong was a place... beachy type place... Matilda also a place... venturing "Jumbuk" is like "Dude!" and Swagman is a reference to a man who has worked very hard all day and then has gone to the pub and drank one too many beer and or otherwise.
(Place E for Effort here).... :)
| 12 years ago. Rating: 18 | |
daren1
Bob/PKB
That song was always hard to resist singing along. I found this information in Wikipedia, and had no doubt eggplant was on the up and up with the answer. It's quite a story...along the lines of "Clementine" just a bit.
"Waltzing Matilda" is Australia's most widely known bush ballad. A country folk song, the song has been referred to as "the unofficial national anthem of Australia".[1]
The title is Australian slang for travelling by foot with one's goods in a "Matilda" (bag) slung over one's back.[2] The song narrates the story of an itinerant worker, or "swagman", making a drink of tea at a bush camp and capturing a sheep to eat. When the sheep's owner arrives with three police officers to arrest the worker for the theft, the worker commits suicide by drowning himself in the nearby watering hole and then goes on to haunt the site.
The original lyrics were written in 1895 by poet and nationalist Banjo Paterson. It was first published as sheet music in 1903. Extensive folklore surrounds the song and the process of its creation, to the extent that the song has its own museum, the Waltzing Matilda Centre in Winton, Queensland.
The song was first recorded in 1926 as performed by John Collinson and Russell Callow
Jumbuck is sheep Billabong is the lake Swagman the worker man and Matilda is the bag slung over the shoulder
| 12 years ago. Rating: 12 | |
A lot of swaggies invaribly had a dog for company and as a pup these were often carried in the swaggies billy can tied to his waste. Billy can is the small pail like container for boiling water for tea or heating up food or even cooking.
In the great depression of the late 20s early 30s a lot more men went on the "track" or as we call it the "wallaby" looking for work or just to stay alive.
Some, in fact, most were lazy and had a habit of turning up at dinner time and offer work for food.
Of course it was to late to work so they got food and cleared out before morning. These were referred to as 'sundowners'
The song was written as you say and the actual billabong (water hole)was Comboine waterhole outside Winton township in western Qld. Sorry I went on a bit but I love this country and all its` idiocyncracies. Is that correct?
I really appreciate the Aussie friends sharing their history, customs, and celebrations with us "yankees". Many of us are so ignorant of others' histories, cultures, and celebrations. (I read your comment first thing this morning, and feel I have started my day well!)
BTW.Matilda was the girlfriend in the song the swaggie was singing."You'll come a waltzing matilda with me". So the song "Waltzing Matilda" is a song about a song that the swaggie was singing.Have I confused you yet?LOL
But "matilda' has nothing to do with the swaggies "girlfriend".
Swaggies were known to dance with their swags ( the rolled up blanket containing their gear)and "Waltzing Matilda" was just that.
To ask "Who will come a waltzing Matilda with me?" "Hey who wants to come on the track,wallaby or road, take your pick with me?"
Sorry Tommy old mate, still you are but a boy, the wisdom of old age is yet to be laid at your door. :)
"Waltzing Matilda" is Australia's most widely known bush ballad. A country folk song, the song has been referred to as "the unofficial national anthem of Australia" ...
| 12 years ago. Rating: 10 | |
As far as I know, there isn't a single song in America that is so dearly-loved. As you may know, the soloist at one of our "big games" actually forgot the words to the Star-Spangled Banner, and they were ON the teleprompter.
eggplant
It's the bag slung over his shoulder.
| 12 years ago. Rating: 9 | |
Ask them what a jumbuk is or for that coolibah or billabong let alone a squatter or trooper Bulletman.
How`s it hanging?
nomdeplume
Ed1530
sunnyB
lambshank
Matilda was referring to the bag on the swagmans back, the swagman is a wandering unemployed "bushy", jumbuck is a sheep and the billabong is a pond (I know none of these words are correct on the American spell check) but I suppose that's because they are Australian slang
| 12 years ago. Rating: 8 | |
Tommyh
Good stuff Kent.I have been getting around to asking this very same question myself.Wasn't quite sure how to ask it.
| 12 years ago. Rating: 7 | |
mycatsmom
I loved that song when I was a kid, and the music teacher even told us the meaning of the words. Then, I taught it to my own students, when I became the long term sub music teacher at the same 3 elementary schools per week.
| 12 years ago. Rating: 7 | |
doolittle
WoW! Cool Stuff! Matilda, my dancing cow, would hate this news! I shalt tell her. I go on (very short) walk-abouts with my cat!
| 12 years ago. Rating: 7 | |
Shootah
west-bus
Could it be that "Waltzing Matilda" is not your anthem because its music was composed by a scotsman and the thought of bagpipes echoing out was asking too much ?
| 12 years ago. Rating: 7 | |
dad59
