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August 19, 2003

Waltzing Who?

Someone noticed the 'Australian'/'Down Under' nature of the site and sent an interesting link to this article: I Come From the Land ... Up Over which is of course a parody of Men at Work - Down Under. (Music from Sammy: ) The key in the article was the mention of the old Aussie favourite 'Waltzing Matilda'.

Not many people know this but the words and tune that are normally sung are not the original. The most common variant is sung here by Slim Dusty (courtesy of Matilda Centre).

There are in fact three variants. The original (words by Banjo Patterson, tune by Christina Macpherson) can be heard here (via NLA). The second variant (arranged by Marie Cowan) was used as part of an advertising campaign around 1902. This is the version that was published internationally as an 'authentic' Australian song and it can be heard here (again from the NLA). The third form is often called the Queensland version (and there are sub variants as well). You can hear it here (again from the NLA).

A number of governments (Whitlam, Fraser, Hawke) all toyed with the national anthem, it was originally 'God Save the Queen' (GStQ). Under Whitlam the anthem was changed to 'Advance Australia Fair' (AAF) but with GStQ played when royalty were present. The next government reversed this and made GStQ the anthem and AAF became the 'National Song' and 'Waltzing Matilda' the anthem for the Montreal Olympics. At the next change of government it was changed again at GStQ was relegated to the back benches and AAF became the official anthem (and it still is although the words have been fiddled to make it more politically correct and gender inclusive). Waltzing Matilda is officially the 'unofficial national anthem'. It is also the marching tune of 1 RAR (1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment). The tune is also used by the US 1st Marine Division. The song has in turn inspired other pieces like this one (again from the NLA).

Now, here is the key question: What was the name of the Swagman? (There are three possible answers, if you know, put it in a comment. Please don't cheat by searching the reference sites below).

More information can be found at The National Library of Australia and Roger Clarke's site. Translation of unfamiliar Australian terms used in the song can be found at the NLA.

Posted by Ozguru at August 19, 2003 04:08 PM

Comments

Thanks for all the very nice links to the different versions. Back when I was looking at the history of the song (when I wrote my post) I couldn't access the music files from my DSL.

Posted by: Da Goddess at August 19, 2003 04:08 PM

I know the answer, but I'll keep my mouth shut...

Posted by: Peskie at August 19, 2003 04:08 PM

Eeep! Since reading that I've just gotten those cringeful flashbacks about being in primary school and singing Advance Australia Fair every Monday morning. Zoinks!

Posted by: Sarah at August 19, 2003 04:08 PM

The answer(s) can be found here.

Posted by: ozguru at August 19, 2003 04:08 PM

Tour de Blog - Stage II This worked well yesterday, I just hope that holds true today as well. - Damian has buggered off until the

Posted by: Paul Jané at August 19, 2003 04:08 PM

Frooty Friday Here we are. OK. I'll start again mmmmmkay? Here I am. Why? I am here. So what if they read it there...FINE! Here I am (while there you are). Waddya mean. There can mean anywhere. Not here! No! They are...

Posted by: Random Riddled Ramblings at August 19, 2003 04:08 PM