SYDNEY 2000 OLYMPICS (5/6) - SLIM DUSTY - WALTZING MATILDA

[323Hawkeye]

Greg Norman looks like the yellow wiggle!

[andrew20781]

I'd love the football world cup to be down in Australia just to be able to sing along with this. Superb.

[historybuff5341]

British Patriot Song - Rule Britania:Britains right to the seas and freedom.

American Patriot Song - God Bless America: Beauty of the land, freedom.

Israeli Patriot Song - Hativka: The Jewish people's search for a homeland.

Canadian Patriot Song - Maple Leaf Forever: The land, the history the people.

Australian Patriot Song - Waltzing Matilda: Stealing sheep.

I love Australia. XD

[mpeindms]

Although I've never been to Australia, I've met too many Australians to think first of convicts. This is a marvelous country with too many accomplishments to bring their origin to mind. Most countries, the USA included (FYI - I am a native born citizen here), have such a clouded past. Excluding truly native Americans, we are all immigrants (all 4 of mine in the 1880's - 130 years ago) and we have NEVER welcomed the newcomers. Shame on us then and shame on us now. WALTZING MATILDA (hooray)

[baseballfan99]

Watched this live at Uni. Whilst Beijing produced a master class in the opening ceremony nothing beats this for sheer enjoyment and sending shivers down the spin 12 years later.

[Braun30]

Saw it on telly live, gave goose pimples then, still does now.

It was a warm day here in Switzerland.

[NPA1001]

The best Olympic Games ever. And I say that as a an English man. iIf 2012 is even half as good as Sydney 2000 it will be great games.. Please London don't fuck it up.

[essendonFC4eva]

As aussie as it gets. RIP Slim

[askinner621]

Slim Dusty is a fucking legend, awesome end to the olympics. Australia kicks ass

[jeromesan494]

love you Aussies :) The man who wrote this was the son of a Scottish immigrant. I'm Scottish and proud of the relations Australia and Scotland have had over hundreds of years x)

[itloads]

This closing ceremony shows the essence of the Great Australian nation. The Chinese throwed all the money in the world at their Olympics. They build the most fantastic sports facilities the world had ever seen. Thousands trained for months to perfect a closing ceremony. But nothing compares to the atmosphere created by the free people of Australia at their Olympics. This simplistic and truely patriotic song will always overshadow any attempt at 'buying' an Olympics opening or closing ceremony.

[Logan82]

@itloads

Many countries can afford to buy the Olympic Games, but Sydney - and Australia as a whole - captured the essence of the games in the most simple way: The Aussies dared to have a cowboy walk onto the stage with nothing more than his guitar and a microphone to deliver the closing act - and in doing so, they gave the world another great memory... :)

RIP Slim Dusty, We will miss you.

[tobiasstorm]

Im from America and I got two of Slims Albums

[Christizm]

Sydney 2000 I was 16 years old at this olympics my first experience and greatest I worked during the event as a cleaner but on that night I would have worked for free hearing Slim Dusty sing that song well the world stopped not just a nation and I cryed thats how emotional this song is even as a youngster it still has that effect go Sydney

[brummy1511]

I'm an American and my husband (also an American) introduced me to this song and I LOVE IT!

[ZeZwede]

i remember how epic i felt this was hearing the entire crowd singing with him. Best ending of an olympic event ever.

[mrlbws1959]

Amazing that that entire international audience is singing along. Doubt that many songs would get that reaction. What a spirited song and people! This from an admiring yank.

[trueblueaussie10]

YOU BLOODY RIPPA SLIM ONLY 84,769 VIEWS, SHOULD BE IN THE MILLIONS.

[jdboatrigr12470]

Slim Dusty is one of Australia's greatest Kept secrets. Slim made himself what is was, A great Perfomer and Song writer. His talented wife Joy McKean and Slim Made a great team of Writers and Performers for 50 Years.

[TheMalaccan]

most fun and friendly olympic ever, love to see aussies organize another olympic!!

[MsSloppyseconds]

@TheMalaccan Aussies organize every olympics :) Allot of people don't know this but ever since the 2000 olympics a group of Aussies have been in the organizing team of every olympics ever since 2000. That includes London ;)

[TriflingCircle]

How could we equal that next year in London?

[roseanne74]

@TriflingCircle You can't ... hasn't been equalled before or since! One man, one guitar, and half the world sings along ... amazing.

[cryssa1984]

Beutifull! Definately a proud moment for us Aussies!!! <3

[DarthGoofy]

Greg Norman can't wave his hands :D



[OzziePete1]

Straight up guitar strumming, solo voice and the BEST rendition of Waltzing Matilda I have ever heard. When I saw this on TV at the closing ceremony in 2000, it brought tears to my eyes it was that good.

[byff2323]

1 person has never heard of the Billabong.

[ravaluf]

I sung it with my OZ friend standing (and crying) next to me in Budapest, Hungary, during the live show on TV. It was a moment of joy, and I thought that if I would ever change country, I would change it only for Australia. Lucky you are people, calling it your homeland!

[coolrunnings1021]

the entire world united by one song god i love it

[candycaneface75]

whos the guy at 2:41? hes kind of...good looking.

[roseanne74]

@candycaneface75 Isn't that a young Darren Hayes from Savage Garden? It certainly looks like him.

[SuperCrazybumblebee]

@roseanne74 Hells yes it's Darren Hayes. Savage Garden got to perform. AWESOME!!!!!

[luiseduardo586]

Kylie is ridiculously HOT!

[Logan82]

This left a lasting impression on me and I remember thinking to myself: What country would bet on an old cowboy and his guitar leaving the final impression of itself after the Olympics?

Well, they must have had some smart people down under - at least smart enough to make the entire world sing "Waltzing Matilda"....it still amazes me today how well he pulled it off...

[YOURfaceHAHification]

FOR LIFE, SLIM DUSTY. FOR LIFE.

[BeeEmmW]

Greetings from Australia :D

[cass3765]

Name me another olympics where an outback folk song is sung by the rest of the world... go Slim for holding the world together to sing 1 song and thanks Banjo Paterson for writing it back in 1895.

[L0veUndertaker]

@cass3765 Amen.

[JakobM325]

~stands and salutes~ This is epic Greestings from Germany

[arturmdc]

Congratulations from Portugal.

Very nice.

Spectacular !!!!!!!!!!!!

[mcrrox123]

Ahhh, listen to them all singing <3 chills, and brings a little tear to the eye, so proud to be an Aussie, deffinately a shinning moment for us <3 <3 <3

[jackthevillain]

One person failed to steal a sheep.

[phoenixonfire081]

I'm American and I've had this song stuck in my head for the past TWO DAYS STRAIGHT! haha I <3 Australia

[baseballfan99]

I fear London will not live up to the opening ceremony of Beijing nor the closing Ceremony of Sydney. The best I have ever seen but for sheer emotion nothing tops this.

[AlonsoRules]

Sydney was the best Olympics ever, nothing will ever come close

[brthekid456]

This song was in the running to be the national Anthem of Australia

[FatmanXVII]

@brthekid456 It definately deserves to be.

Either this or We Are Australian.

G'day mate, have a lovely day!

[Petethebatman]

I'm from Canada and we all learn this song when we're young too. I remember watching this on TV and knowing all the words. One of the best olympic opening and closing ceremonies ever

[nath1356]

they didn't have 110000 capacity stadium singing this song, they had 22 million aussies, and the billions of people who tuned in to watch the closing ceremony and sing this song

[royraaijmakers]

1 guy and 1 guitar get the whole overloaded sydney arena crying, singing and dancing along!!!

beat that justin bieber!!

[baseballfan99]

Best moment in a closing ceremony ever. Remember watching it live and nothing has come close before or since.

[NovaScotian1992]

That's amazing. How so many people were singing along. Simply breathtaking.

[verticalsmurf]

RIP Slim

[lollipop95mal]

Kylie Minogue looks fab!!

[45LiverpoolFC]

i spotted the shark!

[storm2win]

speak 4 yourself. tobby579 get a life!!!

[jabbid111]

I love how the most patriotic song we have is about stealing a sheep.

[hambone9119]

@jabbid111 this is our real Australian Anthem im 23 and fucking love Slim.

[veterinarian]

@jabbid111 I think it's a fitting one for a former penal colony.

It's about being free in face of overwhelming odds and an opressive authority; even if the last expression of your freedom is to choose the way to die... both sad and hopeful.

[livingintsuchiura]

THE DOGS IN THE STREET ARE LAUGHING AT THE STUPIDITY OF YOUR COMMENT.

The song has nothing to do with dancing, nor is it about a woman called Matilda. And I can assure you, that it has nothing to do with "stealing sheep" either. Now, either you are just saying that for a reaction, in which case I congratulate you, because you got what you wanted, or you really are THAT stupid. Frankly, I fear it 's the latter rather than the former. GO AND DO SOME RESEARCH, ya bloody galah.

(Scotsman).

[ProfessorIgor]

@jabbid111 well, I mean you guys are a former penal colony !! all due respect and all....

[MsSloppyseconds]

@ProfessorIgor Better then a bunch of bible bashers :)

[BoyleZ28]

@jabbid111 We are all decendants from convicts after all. Our national hero is Ned Kelly after all lol.

[MsSloppyseconds]

@BoyleZ28 No shit, after all.

[bigpoppa1234]

@jabbid111 At least it wasn't written in NZ, it'd be about fucking one.

[Lennon4life1968]

@jabbid111 ..what a great way of looking at things. I'm Canadian and our most patriotic song for most of my life was the theme song to "Hockey Night in Canada"

Forget the war songs....I think our countries have it right...lol

[2000siegfried]

bin aus deutschalnd, habe es auch am tag der eröffnung der olymichenspiele gesehen, mir sind vor freude die tränen gerollt, las ich hörte wie das ganze stadium mit sang, war gänsehauterlebniss pur. mir war silm dusty voeher vollkommen unbekannt.

wir haben in deutschland einen mundharmonika spieler des musik auch voll unter die haut geht, man muß ihn hören.

p. hoffe einer kann detutschlesen und es vieleich hier als übersetzng reinsetzen, danke!

lg siegfried

[eddiewinehosen]

I've seen every olympics since the ones in Lake Placid and Moscow 1980, and hands down this was the best games to this date!

[NextLvlProductions]

I don't understand the meaning of this song, can someone explain ?

[missoztralia]

@NextLvlProductions Waltzing Matilda is the story of an Australian swagman who sits down under a tree by a billabong to make a cuppa. He finds a sheep (jumbuck) and captures it to eat but then the owner of the sheep comes along and discovers him. He calls the police who come to arrest him. The punishment for theft is hanging so the swagman commits suicide and throws himself into the billabong. From then on he haunts the billabong forever...

[missoztralia]

@NextLvlProductions Oh and Waltzing refers to travelling by foot and Matilda is the bag used to carry your goods. Hence, when you're a swagman you're Waltzing Matilda. There's some debate as to what the real meaning of the song is, but that's something we'll never know. Hope that helps :)

[NextLvlProductions]

@missoztralia thank you :)

[verticalsmurf]

@missoztralia It's more fun if you look back a bit further, Banjo got the tune and the main lyrics from an old German song sung by itenerant craftsmen, who wishing to dance, but without partners would 'Waltz their Matilda' (a coat on a clotheshanger or clothes rack)

[missoztralia]

@verticalsmurf Haven't heard that one before! Thanks for sharing :)

[verticalsmurf]

@missoztralia - Apparently that was a fail on my part. I got sucked in on a well told story by a colleague.

[NextLvlProductions]

this song goes hard lol

[joedov]

That's Class !!! brings back great memories the night I watched that .. Slim Dusty.. A LEGEND

[lollipop95mal]

who is the girl with Kylie?

[loganguy]

@lollipop95mal That girl is Nikki Webster

[AuroraOnVenice]

@ozzyguy67 :D :D amazing!

[jamiepeterson]

Now thats an Aussie. They dont make them like that anymore.

[mjguer]

Yep, GREAT closing ceremony! I know I sang along here in the USA - have always loved this song. Wish I could locate video of the floats with Greg Norman, Paul Hogan (who looked like he'd enjoyed several brewskis before saddling up) and the most beautiful woman in the world, Elle McPherson. Bob Costas' comment about her was PRICELESS!

[KombiPode]

Top ten recorded song in history and fucking moron slave convict Aussies chose rather to sing a song worshipping the Queen. Look in the lyrics of Advance Australia Fair - "To make this Commonwealth of ours

Renowned ..."

They just had to put the pussy licking in it didnt they you fucking slaves.

[AlvinPurple1000]

@KombiPode The "Commonwealth" that the anthem hopes will be "renown ..." has nothing to do with "worshipping the Queen" but refers to The Commonwealth of Australia, the full title of this land that "abounds in nature's gifts".

[KombiPode]

@AlvinPurple1000

Ah ha. Looks pretty clear to me. It refers to the Commonwealth - The COMMONWEALTH BRITISH KINGDOM.

[luiseduardo586]

And that's why ladies and gentlemen, this has been the best closing ceremony in Olympic games.

[schallenschalle]

der absolute warninn ich habe gänsehaut slim is the best



[Boardyline]

Never EVER take this from youtube!

[djbadlt]

opening or closing ceremony

[hogsandhercs]

I'm from the United States and I have loved Slim Dusty ever since I was just a little kid. My grandfather went to Australia on business twice. The first time he went there be brought back Slim Dusty's Australian Bush Ballads and I loved it so much the second time he went there he brought back a whole cassette book with 6 tapes. Shame here in the US not many people have heard of him.

[albertarn]

WOW...as the commentator said, only 1 way to end the Sydney Olympics...with 'Waltzing Matilda', sung by the legendary Slim Dusty. I am from Canada but have loved Slim's songs for many years. Sadly, Slim Dusty died just 2 months before I visited Australia in 2003, but his music & love for his country and its people will live forever. May the Australian music legend RIP.

Nice close-up of Paul 'Crocodile Dundee' Hogan at 2:47!

[1proudnativeson]

This song always gives a lump in my throat. I learned it in the eary 60's.

I only wish I was from Australia !!!!

[CHONDRO1SWISS]

Long life Slim Dusty

[Longstreetta]

Najlepsze igrzyska, piękna ceremonia zapalania znicza, wspaniałe stadiony, kapelusze organizatorów i wyciskające łzy zamknięcie.

[nikcodemus]

i really miss slim

[crossbow123100]

what a song chocked me up every time i hear it

[leojustin3]

The best ceremonies for me. I hope greatness her in Brazil in Rio 2016

[MrDanzeman]

The best olympics ever, the best show ever for a fraction of what beijing's robots spent, lets hope London can be as good as sidney.

[AussieBurg]

RIP Slim you bloody champ

[furiera]

4 raz to oglądam i znów chce mi się beczeć, demn

[1ofomuracitizens]

ギターと自分の声だけで・・・圧巻です。

[Stevo443]

Even though I'm a Kiwi, this video makes me swell with pride. I've always loved Slims Music and have grown up with it. It was so sad that he passed only three years after this video. Thank you so much for Uploading It.

Slim, You're my Idol, and I'm so glad that you had the opportunity to sing at an event such as this. There was certainly no one more fitting for the role. I will continue listening to your music until the day I die.

Stevo.

[DozerInSoCal]

I cherish this video. thank you so much for posting it.

[semtex84]

@masonprior look into it a bit more and you'd find the similarities are there.

[omaha1234xxx]

a legend !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[yusraansari18]

It should Be The Anthem Of Australia

[Raymondngu32]

@yusraansari18 well they done it

[malkbexie]

R.I.P. Slim - great to see this again i remember it well. Sung by the best. I love Australia and i'm from England!!!

[lordofwrath88]

I was so happy for this... cause up until this point I was thinking, "how dare they not include Waltzing Matilda in the opening ceremonies, they better sing it at some point!"

[NoShame86]

I suspect that Australia was once a piece of Texas, pulled out by God and chuck out over to the pacific

[goudkapje]

I'm Dutch and not related to Australia in what kinda way what so ever, but when i hear this song.. idunno - something happens to me. Gosh, you Aussies must be freaking proud of Australia!

[KangaKucha]

@goudkapje yes we are, but check you bloodline mate, the dutch were one of the frist peoples to discover Australia before the brits did, you could be one of the decentdents from one of those expolres!

[goudkapje]

@KangaKucha Haha, i wish it was but i'm quite sure it isn't. The Dutch discoverd Australia yeah, but they never claimed it or 'exported' people over there couse they thought the land was dead and useless. FOOLS.

[KangaKucha]

@goudkapje yeah exported, one of the darker sides of aus history, but we are workinh on fixing that as much as possible.

lol, yeah!

[porbello9]

Love it 

[nikcodemus]

gotta love slim. Fitting emotional end to a spectacular event.

[KangaKucha]

@nikcodemus RIP

[LednickBG]

I live in Bulgaria, which is as far from Australia as you can get, but the moment I head Slim Dusty's performance I couldn't help but cry. This is a heart-warming song performed by a wonderful musician. Thank you, Australia!

[pianoman74]

wow, I also love Kylie in this :)

[verticalsmurf]

Miss you Slim

[didi6301]

Danke Slim für diesen Moment!

Thank's Slim for this moment!

Auch nach fast 10 Jahren kommt die Gänsehaut immer wieder wenn ich dieses Video sehe!

RIP

[NPA1001]

I am as English as Roast Beef but I remember this moment and it brought tears to my eyes at the time. Sydney was without doubt the best Olympics ever (forget the regimented organisation of Beijing) If London 2012 is half as good as Sydney it will be a great games. And of course RIP Slim.

[Valjeanek]

Best olympic game ever... Thanks from Czech republic.

[teewoods]

for me this was the best thing of the olympics

[MyTvUK]

Really great performance from Slim, defiantly the best Olympic games i can remember, Australia you should be very proud of this achievement.

[MRSMACS]

fantastic

[MRSMACS]

absolutely amazing atmoshphere and great song

Well done Australia

[The16henry16]

its the song i herd when my mum died its such a nice song

[SuperAldo86]

australia really know how to close the olympics!!! waltzing matilda was the perfect ending.. not just the australian who sang that night with Slim Dusty, the whole world did too!!! ;-)

[Derby14]

This is inspiring. Slim Dusty was the best! Thank you posting this.

[albanion2005]

One Guitar, One Man, One Song - Absolutely Amazing !!!!!

[craxzydan]

This song gets more people up singin that AAF

[VY10MH7]

An American salute on ANZAC Day to our allies in Australia and New Zealand. Thank you, Troopers, for your bravery and sacrifice.

[romantomato]

20 million Australians sang along with Slim Dusty that night, not just the 120,000 in the stadium.

[ohialixela]

@romantomato and we loved it

[KangaKucha]

@romantomato in Australia, and around the world.

[s3tTz]

@romantomato Bloody oath. Slim Dusty's finest moment, IMO. The greatest rendition of the song that I've ever heard.

[roseanne74]

@romantomato One man, one guitar ... and the rest of the world sang along.

[draco1479]

@romantomato 20 million Australians and this American. I watched that live and heard that song for the first time. That performance gave me goosebumps. It was absolutely amazing. I add this song to many cds that I burn to take with me in the car.

[WM1313]

@romantomato

No not 20 million Australians, but the whole world watching. I remember watching this that night and it was magical... absolutely magical. Sydney 2000 was without a doubt a perfect Games.

And from an American: "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!"

[Keaperman]

@WM1313

I have to agree.

I dont think there Ever will be an Olympic quite like tha Sydney one.

Sure, they are bigger, they are more slick.

But they dont have that little town that Could feeling of the Sydney 2000.

And this song was the absolutley perfect end.

Even today, it gives me goosebumps everytime i hear it.

[xXRackas321Xx]

@romantomato There weren't just Australians singing in that stadium.

[Smido83]

@romantomato

Belive me... not only Australians sang that Song that Night! This is one of the best Folk Songs worldwide! I allways get goosebumps when i see this Video! So moving...

[AuroraOnVenice]

@romantomato o my god!!! You're only 20 millions? @@

[Jennysand81]

@romantomato And quite a few 'out landers' in other countrys as well let me tell ya. :-D

It was THE best Olympic's I've ever seen.

Such a fantastic spirit.

[falkon4488]

best closing ceremony EVER just because of this song its amazing

[pokerjokerz69]

I have a lovely memory of this happening.

My son was 7 days old and because we're in the UK it was about 4am in the morning. He was screamijng the house down and wouldnt sleep.

Suddenly Slim Dusty started singing and he smiled and fell fast asleep. From that night on I sang this song to him and he fell asleep everytime.

Hes now 10 and I still sing it to him when I tuck him into bed.

[launcelotus]

@pokerjokerz69, I share the same experience with you. I always sang the same song every night when I tuck my baby in. Love this song so much.

[mjguer]

I also remember watching this live - one of the greatest things I've ever seen with the thousands singing along - tremendous closing to the ceremony, especially after seeing the most beautiful woman in the world, Elle McPherson, riding around the stadium on one of the floats!

[didi6301]

RIP Slim,

thank's for all !!!!

[brandonmudry1976]

i saw this live in 2000 and wished i was there....feeling hasn't changed..

[pulling69]

FYI his name is Slim Dusty, not Slim Dustin.

[chattefuscio]

absolutely adore this song. even though I'm from Europe, this song makes me cry each and every time- for all the right reasons.

[AussieNewsViews]

@chattefuscio How wonderful of you to say that.

Between our National Anthem, Advance Australia Fair and Waltzing Matilda, I know which one makes me tear up and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and it aint AAFair.

[bowtown]

@chattefuscio Agree totally! We learned to sing this song at school in Ireland but its only more recently I have realised how sad it can be. It says 'Australia' to me everytime I hear it

[tobby579]

@chattefuscio europeans hate mexicans

[verticalsmurf]

@tobby579 Go to your fanciest european restaurant, I'll guarantee that the best food is cooked by those Mexicans you hate!

[ShorthandedGoal]

Thanks so much for posting this! I remember watching this live on tv and feeling moved by the huge sing-a-long. As the announcer said, there wouldn't be any other way to end the games .