" I was only 19" a brilliant song about Vietnam by Australian group Redgum I highly recommend you have a listen.

@garyp4374

2 жыл бұрын

we might have to translate a few things but I definitely agree it's a song worth listening too .

@Shooter-hu1he

2 жыл бұрын

"I was only 19" (A walk in the light green) by Redgum, truly a great, emotional song about a soldier who went to Vietnam. While the lyrics are based around the Australian experience I think any who have been thru combat will see truth in the lyrics.

@sheebathefunnyrescuedog692

2 жыл бұрын

Hasn't he already done that ?

@garyp4374

2 жыл бұрын

I won't be offended if you tell me there was a spelling error lol or in this case the phone changing words around to irritate me so I will buy a new one

The song was inspired by a much sadder event. The shearers strike of 1891 was the turning point in industrial relations in Australia It was between the Shearers, who sheared the sheep and the Squatters who owned the sheep and had the support of the Government. This was a long and bitter dispute that had great ramifications for Australia. The famous poet who wrote this song, Banjo Patterson, was staying on a property where one of these striking shearers committed suicide by drowning himself in a billabong on the property a few months earlier.

@Shooter-hu1he

2 жыл бұрын

And to add to @David Dou s comment Banjo Paterson is an Iconic Australian in his own right. Read the Man From Snowy River or The Loaded Dog for some of his other famous works. From what I know he volunteered for WW2 in the capacity as a horse trainer/lookerafterer.

@Shooter-hu1he

2 жыл бұрын

Forgot to mention that The Man From Snowy River was made into a movie, with a sequel, and a TV series.

@flamingfrancis

2 жыл бұрын

@@Shooter-hu1he The Loaded Dog was the work of Henry Lawson and Banjo was a war correspondent / journo in WW1.

@Shooter-hu1he

2 жыл бұрын

Opps sorry am drunk

@flamingfrancis

2 жыл бұрын

@@daviddou1408 There were two versions that Banjo's words were set to in music. Christina Macpherson is credited with the music by the Australian Sound and Film Archives. Banjo wrote the poem (as commented here, it relates to the 1891 shearer's strike) while staying at a property in Wilton. It was owned by parents of Christina who was a musician.

I’m glad you watched this! Now if you ever want to watch “And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda” (Eric Bogle) which is a song that tells the story of the ANZACs, you’ll understand the song’s reference to Waltzing Matilda! Even if you don’t react to it that’s fine just maybe watch it yourself sometime. The What is Anzac Day was awesome in giving you an intro to the what and why but the song well let’s just say it captures the emotion.

@carolynh8866

2 жыл бұрын

Yes you definately need to watch...Eric Bogle singing And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda

@40ofchips

2 жыл бұрын

Please do have a listen to this song Iwrocker. The most powerful and emotional anti war song I know of.

@richardcoulson7483

2 жыл бұрын

Excellent suggestion and I couldn't think of a better one. 😁👍

@richardcoulson7483

2 жыл бұрын

@Mischie13 Adams Never knew that? But it really doesn't matter where it was first sung! I'm not trying to be disrespectful and, I apologise if it offends. But it just belongs to all Australians, and not the Banana Benders... HA HA HA HA HA HA Cheers from a Mexican AKA: Victorian mate.👍👍👍😁

@Rob-fc9wg

2 жыл бұрын

Joan Baez does an excellent version as well.

I only learnt last year that Waltzing Matilda is the official song of the US 1st Marine Division to commemorate the time they spent in Australia during WW2. If your Granddad had any military connections that might be why he knew the song.

@Dennis-zr3fb

2 жыл бұрын

I didnt know that, that is amazing.

@Shooter-hu1he

2 жыл бұрын

WOW that is so cool. This song is so ironically Australian but has been adopted by a US Marine Division. Australia must have made a strong impression.

@neiljohnson7630

2 жыл бұрын

I believe the US Marines still sing Waltzing Matilda when disembarking from ships

@aussiekat6379

2 жыл бұрын

@@neiljohnson7630 wow that’s so awesome.

@aussiekat6379

2 жыл бұрын

Wow that so bloody awesome.

Lost my grandfather on Friday at 90 years old, came to Australia at 15 years old from Scotland and went on to be a drover, horse breaker, shearer, ran cattle stations, horse studs, fought in Korea, he loved this song, was the toughest, most caring, least educated most intelligent thirsty for knowledge, least tolerant of fools and most willing to talk for hours with interesting people. I've watched your vids for a while and the timing of this is perfect, if you could have talked to my Pop you would know exactly what Australia used to be and still is to some of us. Vale Jim "Scotty" Galbraith the most Aussie Scott or most Scottish Aussie I have ever known.

@Erizedd

2 жыл бұрын

I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather's death, and hope he rests well. He sounded like a really good bloke!

@jedjen7473

2 жыл бұрын

@@Erizedd the best

@sandgroperwookiee65

2 жыл бұрын

He sounds True Blue! ❤️🇦🇺 a typical knockabout bloke!?. Condolences🌹

@jedjen7473

2 жыл бұрын

@@sandgroperwookiee65 that he was but not a yob, a genuine tough man and a gentleman at the same time.

@Chapps1941

2 жыл бұрын

Nicely written

That song was written by Banjo Patterson, an Australian poet. This particular version was introduced, commentated, and sung by the now disgraced Rolf Harris. I wont go into WHY he was disgraced, only that Rolf Harris, the Boy from Bassendean, used to work closely with charity organisations, and children on various projects before moving permanently to the UK in 1952. He spent a lot of his time in Australia over the years and I can remember that he was Patron of a project that my primary (grade) school took part in with Bassendean Primary School to build a mud hut in Bassendean itself. The hut is gone now, as are most of the memorials and honorary items dedicated to Rolf. I highly recommend that you look up "And the Band played Waltzing Matilda" sung by John Williamson. Makes me tear up EVERY time!!!

@Rob-fc9wg

2 жыл бұрын

The filthy and disgusting oxygen thief spent 5years, 9 months in prison. This version should be taken down.

@Shooter-hu1he

2 жыл бұрын

Rolf Harris may be a disgrace but John Williamson is gold. Songs like TRUE BLUE, CROCODILE ROLL, RIP RIP WOODCHIP, to name the few that come to my drunken mind, There are so many more. He is an Aussie folk singer. Highly recommend checking him out.

@Erizedd

2 жыл бұрын

@@Shooter-hu1he We used to have to sing to John Williamson's songs in primary school (80s and 90s). lol. Actually, his songs were far better then most of the other songs we had to sing at school!

@johnangelico667

2 жыл бұрын

As ElaaraWylder said, the singer Rolf Harris had a sad end but was a great musician/raconteur of Aussie folk songs and rapid painter of large-scale canvasses in his TV show in the UK. He was known for a singing style called "eefing and eifing" sound effects. His most famous song was "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" (eg. kzread.info/dash/bejne/Y2yC1JWQp9OblKg.html at an awards night with The Seekers) with "Jake The Peg" a close second.

@redoz9768

2 жыл бұрын

Rolf was framed. Free Rolf.

In my opinion, this song is far more loved by Aussies than our national anthem. 🇦🇺🦘🇦🇺🦘🇦🇺

@Chapps1941

2 жыл бұрын

Funny the song's topic seems to carry our ethos and spirit better than the dirge we have.

@captinkaksparra3381

2 жыл бұрын

Your not wrong...

@thebristolbruiser

2 жыл бұрын

The national anthem we have now is so soulless and meaningless. If we absolutely had to replace God Save the Queen (we didn’t) it should have been replaced with Waltzing Matilda.

As a young girl I remember swaggies coming to the house on the farm (Australia) for some tea, sugar, salt and flour. They were happy to be given whatever we could afford - it was in the 10 years just after WW2. Mum always made them a cold meat sandwich - if we had the meat. We would sit on the verandah and talk. Yes they had their billy, Matilda and maybe a dog. Just thought you may be interested.

@Erizedd

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing the story, Heather - it really paints a humble and heartwarming picture. :)

@Zed483

2 жыл бұрын

Thats awesome Heather 👍🏻

@rossbrumby1957

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely we're interested! Small stories of daily life still in living memory that connect us to life from 200 years ago are always welcome.

@heatherlane9270

2 жыл бұрын

@@rossbrumby1957 Thanks. During the depression many people, mainly men, hit the roads for work - these too I was told, were nearly always called swaggies. Some, yes, worked for their tucker - food.

@petermcculloch4933

Жыл бұрын

A railway line bordered our farm and that was the route the swaggies took.Like you Heather, I remember them coming to our place.They would offer to chop the wood for some food.My father believed they had set up some sort of bush sign indicating swagmen were jake at our place

Actually used as an official song by the US 1st Marine Division. That maybe your fathers connection to it.

If you haven't seen it already I suggest watching the movie The Man From Snowy River based on the poem written by the the same poet who wrote Waltzing Matilda Banjo Patterson Kirk Douglas plays 2 roles in that movie. I love our Aussie made movies but The Man From Snowy River made in 1982 is my favourite Aussie film and brings the poem to life especially at the jump

A lot of people think this should be the Australian national anthem. Either “Waltzing Matilda” or “We are one” by the Seekers. If you’re ever gonna do another music reaction definitely check out “We are one” by the seekers. It really captures the ideal that we as Australians attempt to live up to as a nation. It’s a beautiful song

@Quinctili

2 жыл бұрын

Really? Waltzing Matilda is an old German tune, nothing to do with Australia, the altered words are about a total loser and thief who steals sheep and commits suicide in a stagnant pool. Is that your life? It's not mine! We actually have one of the great National Anthems of the world, currently, but there is a problem. 50% of our population MUST be below average intelligence, that's just how averages work. They don't know they're stupid, how can they? Dunning-Kruger describe them as being too stupid to know they're stupid. Even then, only about 34% of the stupids will vote LaborNazis, so how stupid must THEY be! LaborNazis push for change because they've got nothing else. No LaborNazi or Leftstupid has ever innovated, initiated, created or achieved anything for humanity anywhere in the world for the last 170 years. Leftstupids want change because they, themselves, stink of failure, they hate success and successful people, so they vote for a change of EVERYTHING! It's basic childish spite and stupidity, it's only the Leftstupids that want change, but they're so stupid they want a song about a loser thief as an Anthem!. BTW, the USA doesn't have a Left, the Democrats are actually World Financial Conservatives, like the LNP in Aus.

@hardcorehakon

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah the other popular choice, for replacing our anthem, is still call Australia home from the qantas adverts. This song was actually sung as our national anthem by the Anzacs in ww1, due to at the time not having a national anthem, back then we sung the brittish anthem.

@kdaddy9229

2 жыл бұрын

@@Quinctili what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

@Shooter-hu1he

2 жыл бұрын

I agree with your statement but have to put up another choice for National Anthem. You're the Voice by John Farnham. Classic Aussie Anthem regardless.

@kdaddy9229

2 жыл бұрын

@@Shooter-hu1he ✊

U got to listen to "And the band played Waltzing Matilda", a war song that is guaranteed to make ya shed a tear!!!

@Dr_KAP

2 жыл бұрын

AGREE !

@kirk5152

2 жыл бұрын

@@daviddou1408 If Putin was listening to it, it would be a pro war song. Its a song about war. If it's anti or pro is totally up to one's opinion. You know, opinion, that thing your incapable of suppressing!!! But by All means don't stop, YT is running so short of unwanted opinions!!!

@kirk5152

2 жыл бұрын

@@daviddou1408 War song: A war song is a musical composition that relates to war, or a society's attitudes towards war. They may be pro-war, anti-war, or simply a description of everyday life during war times. Therefore "And the band played Waltzing Matilda" is guess what genius, that's right....a fucking war song. So In other words, your original comment that it's an anti war song, not a "war song" just like yourself has as much merit as the ass hair that I pulled out with the toilet paper when I wiped after I took my morning dump today.

Like you I miss my Dad, he was a WWII veteran. He loved this song, it's kind of an unofficial national anthem. He obviously survived WWII but sadly his younger brother, my uncle didn't. They sacrificed a lot so we can enjoy our freedoms we have now, something we should never forget.

Ian, just wondering with your Grandfathers fondness for the song and talking about the toughness of Australians if he served in the 1st Marine Division? The 1st after a brutal six month campaign in Guadalcanal came to Melbourne in January of 1943 for R&R and were warmly embraced by the population in a tumultuous reception to the extent that locals literally opened their houses to provide accommodation for any Marine who desired his own home with family life instead of being billeted in a barracks. After what the 1st Marine Division experienced in Melbourne they adopted as their colour patch/insignia from the Victorian State Flag the Southern Cross Constellation on the blue background for their diamond and added the Big Red 1with Guadalcanal written on the 1inside of the cross. On George Washington’s birthday in 1943, the Marines marched a parade through Melbourne. During this parade, the 1st Marine Division Band decided to play Waltzing Matilda as one of the songs which was loved by the locals and Marines so they then adopted and now play Waltzing Matilda everyday as their official Marching song.. There is one unmistakably true measure of what Melbourne meant to the 1st division. They shipped out between the August and October of 1943, and for a year after their departure the 1st Marine Division postmaster noted that more outgoing mail was sent to Melbourne than to the United States. Some relationships between Marines and their hosts would endure a lifetime.

@barryfowler954

2 жыл бұрын

👍And I reckon Ian's grandad was one of them. 😁

@leandabee

2 жыл бұрын

That's why I thought Ian's Mum might have been talking about Eric Boguls song because his Pop said how Aussies were a tough bunch. Even though that song pertains to Vietnam 🤔

@superstorby

2 жыл бұрын

@@leandabee I think that you are thinking of Redgums "I was only 19" which is about Vietnam as Eric Bogles song "And the Band played Waltzing Matilda" is about WW1.

I once saw an American Pastor speak in my church he talked about when he was in the U.S Army he heard many stories about the Australian Army and said there are one of the most respected Armies in the world

Whilst Waltzing Matilda is definitely an iconic Australian song, and after seeing your video of I Still Call Australia Home (and your priceless reaction to it❤️), I’d have to agree with previous comments about The Seekers song, We Are Australian. It’s such a beautiful and telling song of who we are collectively, where we’ve come from, and where we’re going. Cheers Ian 👍🏼😎

@divusaugstus

2 жыл бұрын

Utterly agree with you about ‘I am Australian’ - should be our national anthem instead of the boring 30’s dirge we currently have.

👏🏼❤️ Waltzing Matilda embraces the Australian attitude that nobody is above another. The squatter might have caught the swagman but he wasn’t going to give up the jumbuck or his freedom. A bit of the Australian stubbornness there 😉

Couple of interesting facts. The original tune was in fact a a Scottish jig or dance brought to Australia by Scottish immigrants. The town of Winton, where the alleged incident occurred and where the song originated, actually has a Waltzing Matilda Museum and well worth a visit!

Waltzing Matilda is the song of the 1st Division US Marines. They play it all all ceremonies and parades. The connection with the song began when they were stationed in Australia in WW2. Whenever they go overseas they always name their Basecamp Matilda and have the Southern Cross on display. Maybe your Grandfather had some connection to this.

@steveos6472

2 жыл бұрын

Wow!

@Erizedd

2 жыл бұрын

Right!! I'd heard that playing before (at some parade) and wondered why it sounded just like Waltzing Matilda! lol. Very cool!

The Intro 🥰 I'm sure you're dad is very proud!

Thanks mum...🥰🤠✅

G'day mate, I'm sure your pop would be very proud of you and he has every right to be. You're a good man, a great dad and I'm sure Daniela would say you're a great husband. Love from down under mate

This should really be our Anthem as we all love this and also know the words. 😜

@Streetw1s3r

2 жыл бұрын

It's alright but I vote for "I Am Australian", as it sums up the entire history of Australia and gives you goosebumps down your neck and makes everyone emotional and patriotic. Waltzing Matilda doesn't really have anything to do with the nation itself, it's just about a guy who squats on someones land, steals their sheep and gets shot by troopers, that's why it wasn't chosen and they opted for the one we have now instead. But if I were to change the national anthem today, I would go with I Am Australian.

@Tully_23_32

2 жыл бұрын

@@Streetw1s3r Yep i agree mate, I am Australian defs as #1 for the national anthem

@garyp4374

2 жыл бұрын

@@Streetw1s3r he doesn't get shot by the troopers he jumps into the billabong suiciding so that he doesn't have to be arrested by the British police. that's why it wasn't the anthem cos it was against the police and the government

@rosalierobertson1253

2 жыл бұрын

@@Streetw1s3r I completely agree with you. The title itself, & the song's meaning, from our first nation's people, to all of those, who chose Australia as their home., is much more relevant than Waltziing Matilda, which to me is a fun, sing -a-long, for celebrating our "Aussieness". I also love that song but the words are inappropriate for our nation's anthem. Our current anthem doesn't stir me, & I hope that one day that the one that brings forth our emotions, as it should, will be chosen.

@Streetw1s3r

2 жыл бұрын

@@rosalierobertson1253 Yeah exactly right. Waltzing Matilda is a fun song but that's all it is, there's nothing really patriotic or nationalistic about it and it'll just make everyone around the world think we are just a bunch of homeless criminals. 🤔 I agree the current anthem does nothing for me either, I get more ramped up by other countries anthems than our own. Like the Italian national anthem is incredible and the way they all chant it loud and proud, it gets me going and I'm not even Italian lol. But that's what a national anthem should be and what ours is missing. Nobody cares to sing ours, most people don't even know the words. Maybe we can petition to change it.

I think it would have been Interesting to have gone into the American navy’s history with the song. Where is is still used as the theme song for the 1st Marine division. Really interesting story with origins in WW2

What you might find interesting Ian is that Waltzing Matilda is the official song of the US 1st Marine Division. They adopted the song after WW2 when returning marines, who had been based in Australia during the war, honoured their fellow soldiers from Australia. It was done as a sign of respect for the friendship, bravery, extreme valour and humour shown by the Aussie soldiers.

I was 4 in 1963, we had left Aotearoa (NZ) on our way to Holland. We stopped in Sydney. As we left the dock, everyone on the ship and shore sang this song, while throwing toilet paper to our family and friends waving us off. It was amazing. CrankyGranny Western Australia

Banjo Patterson wrote the poem, and song, on his travels along the Matilda Highway, the name of the track, at the time, from Bourke NSW to Karumba QLD. That is where the 'Matilda' reference comes from. Many men looking for work during the shearer's strike walked, or 'waltzed' the Matilda Highway to Karumba, where there were recently discovered goldfields in the ranges nearby

Thanks mate. I enjoy watching your videos!

G'day Ian mate, your granddad would so proud of you knowing so much about Australia 👍🇦🇺🦘🦘🦘

No doubt your grandad would be proud of you mate! With love from Australia 🇭🇲

Sounded like a Fred Smith intro. Pity you don't do song reviews, LOL. Thanks for the vid and congrats on 100k in case I blink and miss it.

Great stuff. Thanks. As an Aussie I really appreciated this

So your Grandpa is responsible for planting the seed for your interest in Australia and your affection for this wide brown land, Australia. Your Grandpa must have been a top bloke to know and love listening to Waltzing Matilda and no wonder a lot of Aussies seem to click with your videos. Cheers mate 👍

This is great, but I would love to see you react to the song "And the band played Waltzing Matilda" BY Eric Bogle - look for the live version done by Eric Bogle itself, it is very moving and good.

That was an upbeat lighthearted version of the truest bluest song ever written. 🙂 There are other versions. The more somber version, which is more suited to the Shearer's strike it was written about still gets my attention 🙂 The "Queensland version " is also well worth a listen.

@fussyrenovator7551

Жыл бұрын

I struggled to listen to that version knowing it was Rolf Harris performing.

A B " banjo " Paterson had such an authentic way of writing poems , especially the long story type . I think you'd and the family would really enjoy reading some . A perfect place to start I believe is " Mulga Bill's Bicycle " . I can still recite it after 45 years .

Thanks for posting this video. Just like so many things that happened a long time ago, the events that lead up to the penning of this song, "might get lost in the mists of time". It depends on who you talk to about what happened that day. I wasn't there that day, so I have to take other folks word for what I'm told. Some folks say that the bloke in the song, referred to as the "Jolly swag man" was a shearer, actually a rather sour individual, that the other shearers jokingly referred to as "The Jolly Swag Man". Incidentally, my Late Father was a shearer, who shore sheep in many of the shearing shed all around that area. I'm told that back around the time that this incident took place, many shearers were "Swag men" They rolled their swag, and walked to where ever the next shearing shed was. I've a swag full of stories about our shearers, but mayhaps another time.

Hi Ian, I have been following your chanel for a while. Liked and subscribed. Also commented on many of your posts, you family and extended family are precious. Love watching your reactions to the gifts and your appreciation for our culture, land and flora and fauna. Hi from Queensland Australia 🐨🌴🌺

Two points...there was a magnificent presentation of WM done by an Aussie bushie named Noel Watson at the 1988 Grand Final of the VFL (AFL). Really worth a listen / look on YT. For those wanting to get an idea of what it was like for the swaggies / itinerant workers of the era suggest looking at the paintings called "Down on his luck" and "On the Wallaby Track" both by Aussie painter Frederick McCubbin.

Anzac day today, Please google a video called ( and the band played Waltzing Matilda)

It's not really a great version of the song but I love how he explained the Aussie slang for it at the start 👍

My hat is off to you my friend, to cover the ANZAC's twice on video in one day is truly appreciated 🥰 much love to you and your family from Adelaide! ❤

Remembering also these lyrics were written c. 1898 and some terms are no longer used. A jumbuck is a male sheep, but it's a word I've never heard used. 🤗

G'day, The song is said to be written near Winton in North West QLD. Coincidently not so far from "Walkabout Creek pub" from Crocodile Dundee fame, The pub has been relocated to the main road to get those travelling past to stop and visit, (Makinlay)

There's this song "Waltzing Matilda". And then there's a different song "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda". Which is an anti-war song about the Gallipoli landings which is also worth a lesson.

I was writing he’d be proud of you mate before you said you hoped he would be! I’m sure he is mate! Love your channel. Take care mate👊

Thank you for sharing your story about your grandad i bet he is very proud that you learning so much about our great country

"And the band played waltzing Matilda " by Eric Bogle is a must listen.Verry moving. Tells the story of an ANZAC. .

Hey mate. Was looking forward to watching this. Was getting into it when realised it was Rolf Harris. See you on the next one.

Ian, please don’t get pressured into reacting to music videos! There’s plenty of music reactors out there and I would hate for you to become a “music reactor” if music is not your thing. We love what you react to with your passion and excitement and humble appreciation. I have very little interest in cars aside from them getting me where I want to go, but I still find myself watching your car videos.

@Teagirl009

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed. There's tonnes of people reacting to Aussie artists and that's their whole thing and that's great. But I actually like that Ian's channel is not that. It's more broad on Ausie topics and reflects his genuine interest in cars and racing. Even if I am not a big car person I still watch because I like Ian and I appreciate his passion for it.

Great song thanks for sharing Ian. Hi from NSW

US marines 1st division's March is "Waltzing Matilda" and shoulder patch is the Southern Cross

Thank you for playing Rolf Harris’ version. Grew up watching Rolf on television. Loved Rolf in The Little Convict. Great man.

How cool is it finding out your grandfather had a soft spot for Aussies too..

I agree with others who have suggested a iconic song about the landings at Gallipoli and the ANZACS "And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" is one ty for doing this for our day mate. Keep Safe Keep Strong Mate💖🦘🦘🦘🦘

i thought rolf harris had been banned everywhere

What I love about Waltzing Matilda is that is was the sign off tune (whistled) on my local radio station when I was a kid.

Waltzing Matilda, somebody killed 'er, laying in the grass with a trumpet up her...

I truly love that this bloke is sincerely intrigued about our beautiful county and culture

This song! Omg this song is so reminiscent for every Australian. We love it

Glad you're enjoying about learning about our country

Ian, you should watch the Slim Dusty version of Waltzing Matilda when he sang it live at the Sydney Olympics. With all the crowd singing it was incredible!!

Movies to look up - Sunday too Far Away, Storm Boy, The Sundowners! Classic outback life!! 👍

much love from Bigga

Ian I love that you have a connection with your grandfather through Australia, he would enjoy our mateship as we all do here in Oz. ☮️

this song is in the DNA of all true blue aussies

I just love how you love Australia!!...you should check out our ANZAC tradition of the game "Two-up".

Squatter, in the 19th Century, is a reference to wealthy landowners. So-named because they would stake out a claim on Crown land and sort out the paperwork / legal rights to use or own the land later. It also spawned the concept of the "squattocracy" to refer to this 'landed gentry' class.

words by famous bush poet A.B (Banjo) Patterson, who also 'The Man from Snowy River' made iinto a movie in the eighties. there is history behind the lyrics of Waltzing Matilda, i knew it extensively once, now all i remember is was invovling a shearers' strike in queensland, the burning down of a squatters shearing sheds ( i think)

Ian, did your grandfather happen to serve in the 1st Marine division during WW2? That’s because the division adopted “Walzing Matilda” as the regimental march as a result of recuperating in Australia. Grüße aus Australien

The billabong referred to in Waltzing Matilda is the Combo waterhole near Kynuna in Queensland.

What is not well known here in Australia is that the song Waltzing Matilda (our unoffical anthem) has been adopted by the US 1st Marine Division. It stems from days following the crucial battle of Gaudacanal in 1942 and when the marines were sent to Melbourne for rest and recuperation. The bonds between Australia and America still remain strong.

you're a bloody legend mate

Ian have a listen to a band called 'scared wired little guys' songs - Cleanin' Out My Tuckerbag, - Come To Australia and I've Been Everywhere.

Slim Dusty with the camp-fire version has to be the best one , that bloke was one fair dinkum Aussie . R.I.P SLIM . By the way , you have that clip in the corner of your screen , looking forward to seeing that one !

You should listen to the song by Redgum, I Was Only 19. Very moving and very apt as today is Anzac Day.

It's sung at a lot of major events it's considered like the equivalent of the National Anthem. It's taught basically at every school and the poet Banjo Patterson who is featured on our $10 note.

I recall seeing a Black & white movie about Australia WW2. They were singing the song so that's how I got the idea the thing was a machine - jeep.

I know you said about doing reactions to songs/music; but I'd like to suggest something that will allow you to understand Australia and Australians much better. The song is "I Am Australian ", it was co-written by Bruce Woodley of The Seekers; The Seekers performed this in their Special Farewell Performance, with all 5 verses.

Also there are schools in France where every morning they sing waltzing Matilda to honour the Aussies that saved em during the first war

The song “ And the band played Waltzing Matilda” great song about Aussie soldiers

Waltzing Matilda is the official marching song of the 1st Marine Division, US Marine Corps. It is played on the dock every time a ship carrying Marines leaves or returns to the United States. This came a bout because of how well the 1st Marines were treated by the people of Australia after suffering great losses in the Battle of GuadaCanal.

I was going to mention a song you definitely needed to hear but noticed that Dr-KAP already mentioned it. It's a must

Ian, you may be interested to know, that an American singer, songwriter Tom Waits, has a song called, "Waltzing Matilda".

You Definitely need to listen to the song “and the band played Waltzing Matilda” especially on Anzac Day

G'day Ian, My Husband, John, says there are a number of reasons as to why the song refers to Waltzing Matilda. John, who is in his late 70s, one of his memories from living in the country as a boy was having swagmen call in to the homesteads looking for a hand out of tea, sugar and flour and perhaps a feed. The women on these homesteads would try and get them to do a few jobs such as cut some wood or weed the vegie patch in return for supplies. The swaggies, as we refer to them, would very often come around just on sunset hoping it was too late to do chores. When the swaggie was approaching out of the setting sun with his swag bobbing around on his back it had the appearance from a distance of a couple dancing, or waltzing.

The 1st Marine Division was formed on February 1, 1941. They fought in the Guadalcanal Campaign in 1942 and were taken in by Australians when they went there to get new Marines from the states, rest, recover, and resupply. "Waltzing Matilda" became their official March.

a billabong is a bend in a river, that has been cut off from the river when the river shortens the bend/ changes course, leaving behind a banana shaped lake.

And we love you bro!

The Pogues had a great song titled "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" about ANZACs in Gallipoli.

Good on you Ian. You do us proud over here. Try and get to see 'Sunday Too Far Away' for an iconic Australian Shearers story. Sheep made Australia.

"Banjo"Paterson one of our leading poets wrote the words in conjunction with a Miss Mc Pherson while staying at a sheep station near Longreach The pair were supposed to be engaged but it didn't come off

If you check the You Tube video's, there is a fantastic clip of Australian Infantry on a route march and singing "Waltzing Matilda". Even to me as a fair dinkum, Aussie ocker, it is uplifting. When you see the clip one has to think about how many of these Diggers made it home after the war.

My parents both Germans met, married and lived in Australia (1965-70). They sang that song with us as kids. They told us that this song is the unofficial national anthem of Australia. I also had a jumper with koalas dancing and parts of the lyrics printed onto it.

Your grandfather would be proud! Love your videos! You should listen to I Am Australian by The Seekers. Great song.

Interestingly, as a 1946-born Aussie... very loyal to this song, I must advise... over the years the word 'waltzing', was initially a from an old European song... 'Walzing'... with no 'T'. And it didn't have anything to do with dance.

The tune is an old English Army song from the time of Queen Ann Going down to Rochester

We love ya too mate ❤ sorry to hear of your grandfather no doubt he would be proud of you now 👍

Ooh ooh another one to have a gander at I Was Only 19 by Redgum. Tear jerker for sure.

Great iconic Australian song ! But especially at this time of year the song that I listen to a lot is officially called walk through the light green, more commonly known as, I was Only nineteen. Buy an Australian band called Redgum. Its mostly about the hardships of war and Australian soldiers in Vietnam. A lot of the song refers to agent Orange a default used by the Americans forces. In which it was use to kill off all the vegetation in certain areas so there was no camouflage for enemy troops to hide in. It was usually sprayer by helicopters. 1 of the main lyrics in the song is (and we made our tense a home vb, and pinups on the lockers and an Asian Orange sunset through the scrub ) which refers to the agent Orange that was spread. Unfortunately a lot of the returning soldiers had stated suffered from many different types of disabilities which are thought to be from the use of the agent Orange. In saying that no one blames the Americans for what happened. I'm quite sure that a lot of us soldiers suffered the same fate. it was just one of the misfortunate things of war . Something rushed into service before fully understanding the long-term consequences and I'm dam for a hell of a lot of Vietnamese people suffered just as much if not more. . In saying that for anybody that hasn't heard the song most Australians considered to be a very good song and well worth the listen. It tends to kick you in the butt and make you realise how horrible war really is. Rip to those who suffered through that tragedy. 🇦🇺🇳🇿🇺🇸🇻🇳. Check it out on the link below if you're interested listening to it and watching the video. kzread.info/dash/bejne/Y5uhydmxZ5rVo9o.html