'Waltzing Matilda' - Australian Patriotic Song

[a.nonymous]

For those of you wondering:
Waltz - wander (or dance to waltz music)
Matilda - affectionate name for a swag
Swag - bed roll for a wanderer's belongings
Swagman - wandering worker who carried a swag
Billabong - type of pond or lake
Billy - can for boiling water
Jumbuck - sheep
Tucker bag - food bag
Squatter - early settlers who claimed all of the good land

This song is about a homeless man drowning himself rather than rotting in prison at the hands of corrupt authorities, and Aussies sing it as proudly as their anthem.

[martinnhantran]

*Waltzing Matilda explained:*
Swagman = An itinerant worker, who travelled around on foot carrying his belongings (his swag).
Matilda = The swagman's bedroll, so named because it's "the only woman he sleeps with"
Waltzing Matilda = The bedroll was often carried at the hip, so it swung back and forth as the swagman walked along. The movement was similar in some respects to the way a man would swing a woman around during a lively waltz, hence to walk around while carrying one's bedroll was called "waltzing Matilda"
Billabong = A curve of a stream which has been cut off due to the water flow changing direction, also known as an oxbow lake.
Coolabah/Coolibah = A type of eucalyptus tree.
Billy = A tin pot, usually hung over a fire to boil water in to make a hot drink. Also used for general cooking.
Jumbuck = A male sheep.
Tucker bag = Tucker means food, so it's a food bag.
Squatter = In this context, someone who occupies unused crown land and develops and farms it.
Trooper = Soldier. Filled the role of a policeman before the police force was established.
Edit to add: The fact that the squatter was riding a thoroughbred horse indicates that he was wealthy and could well afford to lose a single sheep, and the fact that he brought three troopers with him indicates overkill in enforcing the law.
(Source: Melkior Wiseman)

[jonathanbrowne]

I'm not even Australian. but this song still gives me the patriotic goosebumps. Love to my Aussie cousins from Canada!

[shinglemcdingle]

This song sounds like some long lost memory for some reason

[ihaveneverfeltthetouchofaw]

American tourists when they say “g’day mate”:

[professionalbabushka]

don't touch my jumbuck government 🐍

[lazer_kiw]

Ah yes, a song about a hobo who steals a sheep and then drowns himself to evade the authorities. Doesn't get more patriotic.

[fratface]

30年ぶりくらいに聞いて、懐かしくなりました。
I'm a japanease male.
When I was 20, I was in Wollongong, Australia for about a month.
I remember someone singing there, either my host family or someone at Keira High School.
I hadn't heard it in about 30 years and it made me nostalgic.

[aleezaothmanrazak]

A big thanks to Australian troops .. that saved us from the Japanese invasion in North Borneo back in ww2... God Bless Australia !

[Talulah_Enjoyer]

This song not only talks about a man who in desperation steals a sheep and due to the corruption of the authorities, ends up committing suicide; It is also the history of Australia, a place that in its beginnings was a prison for thieves and poor murderers from Great Britain, arriving in Australia was considered a suicide. The song may not be the official anthem but really a large part of Australians consider it that way, since they are children some of them are forced to sing this song in the camps, others one 'cuz they want, where they try to teach them about Australia, as well as about life and how difficult it is, for that is that when they hear it and older, many times cry; the memories that come to them, both of their country's past, as well as of themselves and their families, is beautiful. Like to don't get lost in the comments.

[seanwalters]

One of Australia's beloved anthems and the 1st Marine Division's adopted march. Always a good tune! Love from the US to our Aussie friends!

[SophiaElizabeth.]

Beautiful song! Long live free, beautiful and talented Australia from USA! Can’t wait to visit you guys! 🇺🇸🫶🇦🇺

[generalbutterpants]

Australian is basically it’s own language

[kingdomofprussia]

I can remember singing this in Primary school, the lyrics were a little different though, thanks Ingen.

[NickariusSN]

A great thanks to all the Australians and New Zealanders that came to defend Crete 🇬🇷❤🇦🇺

[lwlwgym]

Australian through and through love this song, timeless aussie classic, thanks to everyone who fought for and saved Australia

[relisotaco]

My best friend of 6 years is from Australia, love to Australia from England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 ❤🇦🇺

[yenyehski_]

As a proud Australian I can remember the entire lyrics, it's a shame many Aussies don't.

[garyhinds]

Great song from a great country....love the Aussies!

[cefloach]

Americans: "ACAB!" "Back the Blue!"

Chad Australians: "Let's make a song about someone who drowns himself to avoid being sent to a corrupt prison our unofficial national anthem!" "Okay!