waltzing matilda

chained_bear commented on the word waltzing matilda

The act of carrying a swag or bedroll; walking the countryside.

Also the title of a famous song/lyrics from the early 1900s, the unofficial anthem of Australia, written by A.B. "Banjo" Paterson.

From the National Library of Australia website (http://www.nla.gov.au/):

"For most people, the words of ‘Waltzing Matilda’ embody the free spirit, resourcefulness and defiance of authority associated with the Australian national character... Some scholars and folklorists argue that the song is a political statement in much the same way as classic children’s nursery rhymes attacked political figures in earlier centuries. The song is not an explicit attack on the squatters’ refusal to pay shearers higher wages. However, it has been argued that the plot of (the song) ‘Waltzing Matilda’ is based on the conflict that raged between these two groups in the 1890s before the song was composed."

You go, swagman. Fight the power!

February 7, 2007

hernesheir commented on the word waltzing matilda

Please, listen to this lovely arrangement of Waltzing Matilda, lovingly played on a handcrafted parlor guitar built by Rebecca Urlacher. It will make you wish you could play like that.

October 31, 2009

thtownse commented on the word waltzing matilda

I had always thought it was about waltzing with a woman named Matilda?!

May 7, 2010

oroboros commented on the word waltzing matilda

Here's a takeoff based on the song and prefaced with this proviso:

"Because of heavy processing requirements, we are currently using some of your unused brain capacity for backup processing. Please ignore any hallucinations, voices or unusual dreams you may experience. Please avoid concentration-intensive tasks until further notice. Thank you."

CRACKING COMPUTERS

May 8, 2010