Seriously, Southern... What are lyrics about? I thought you guys spoke English down under!
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Chaz, I'm from New Orleans, born and raised, I'm an American immigrant! so I speak 'Australian 'as a second language :lol:
Been here nearly 25 years now and STILL some of the language befuddles me.......still , I love it. Some great turns of a phrase here, and heaps of great history.
That song is so much a part of the Aussie psyche that i dare not explain it in full! but if you Google
"meaning of Waltzing Matilda" the first one to pop up on Google is
"Suite 101.com" THERE you will find a full and meaningful explanation of the verb-age contained. I sure learned a bit more reading it all there myself. But in short, a "Matilda" is a "swagmans '( a wandering hobo-type soul) "swag' ( a sort of bedroll and crude tent rolled into one). A good image is that of a Confederate infantry soldier, his bedroll tied at one end, hung on his shoulder, and draped across his chest. THAT rolled up bedroll is a 'Matilda' ,an affectionate term for a swag from men in great need of some feminine companionship. To 'Waltz' her is to travel the countryside with 'her' embraced affectionately across ones chest.
It is a real anti-authority song, a song of independence, and a cry to the struggling poor ( the 'battlers') to stick it up the rich and powerful.
and you're right Spider, Slims version is the real deal...OR I could say......A 'Fair dinkum", 'ridgy didge', True Blue', micky mouse ,version. :lol: ( all that means. ....it's the real deal)
Whew!