Waltzing Matilda
An Australian song, 1903, the words fitted to an old Scottish tune (published 1818) and published in Sydney. Matilda is not a girl's name but Australian slang for a knapsack, and waltzing refers to bouncing, not dancing. Strangely, the song is in
The song became tremendously popular among Australian troops during the two world wars, and has assumed the status of an unofficial national anthem. The song was placed in modern perspective by the Australian singer/songwriter Eric Bogle. His powerful antiwar song And The Band Played "Waltzing Matilda" describes the horrific battle of Gallipoli in World War I.
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