@ProfMichaelson --Not really. I'm American, too, and learned the bullshit about Guadalcanal, too. It was crap. The real fight was on Kokua Trail in New Guinea. Never hear of it in U.S. schools, but it broke the back of the Japanese South Seas Army a month before Guadalcanal.
@WRKAQARG lol. You aren't old enough to know anything about it of your own knowledge. You have to rely on research just like all the rest of us mortals. Likewise, most Americans don't have a clue what the lyrics of "Yankee Doodle" mean.
@ProfMichaelson There was an instant, the moment when I quickly hit reply, where I prepared myself to write a snarky remark; that instant faded. You are absolutely correct and I discuss this with my colleagues all the time. Education, especially that which deals with science or history, is severely lacking in this country.
Its even worse that you would make this for childrenbecause they will tell other what they heard and it won't be right and they wont even know until they came to Australia and they will feel bad that they get it wrong. Plus is should how little respect you have for us and I am austrailan, and I feel very disrespected by it.
@bebell123456 There are other ways children can learn that, like many countries, Australia once had no middle class, just wealthy land barons and homeless people who had to fend for themselves, as in the folk song. The Occupy people seem to think this is still true in the U.S. And like you, some American Southerners take offense if someone mentions their history of slavery. But those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.
A billabong is not really a waterhole, it is a temporary branch of creek, quite shallow, really. A jumbuck is not a sheep, but a young lamb. Coolerber is not a .Coolibah. A crappy job!
@coroboree The same may be said for the terrific horror film "Let Me In," the outstanding TV series "Homeland"; indeed all Americanizations of foreign-language entertainment projects. With entertainment, the story is the thing.
@coroboree A waterhole can be any depression of water, and we use it quite often to mean an bit of a creek where water has accumulated. Similar to what you refer to as a "billabong".
As to the jumbuck term -- learn something new everyday! I wasn't aware that it was a constrained term, but for your reference a lamb is a young sheep.
Listening to the lyrics she does say cool-e-bah tree. But, of course, I'm sure that an Australian isn't going to tease people for their accent... right?
Ignore the haters, ProfMichaelson. As someone who goes through a lot of old folk music myself, it's easy to see that lyrics change over time, are re-used, and are sometimes completely rewritten. I understand your purpose behind the video and song - when I listen to it, I think "Ah! So that's what the song is about! Cool!" It doesn't replace the "original" song; it complements it.
Great rendition of the song, however...why did you do away with the archaic Socceroo terminology? You sing a song the way it's written! The only time you change the lyrics is if you're making a parody like Weird Al Yankovic. Otherwise, sing it how it's written. BTW I'm American and I think this is just wrong.
@MMusashi7 This is done all the time as when "Frere Jacques" is sung with English lyrics. I did it the other way around too, made a hit record in France by having a folk singer perform "Michael Row Your Boat Ashore" in French. There is nothing wrong with performing a song in different languages.
Although your intensions are good, this is just a terrible idea. First of all, if people REALLY want to know what the words mean they can easily google them.....if they are not capable of doing a few moments of resesarch then they are to blame for not understanding. Second, the entire point of the poem was to be Nationalist, and by removing the local dialect it removes the essence of the poetic verse.
People should develop their Schema(s) rather than a piece of literature having to change. :)
@lukesanby "A few moments of research" won't provide the historical amd anthropologic context. For instance, the word "shepard" is apt to conjure up an image of a man wearing a robe and sandals and carrying a staff, as opposed to someone in a unfiorm on horseback brandishing a sword. And no one is trying to extinguish a dialect, the way the Brits did that to the indigenous populations of Australia and the Americas. Rather, it's a visually enhanced translation.
@puck889 Because the purpose was to Americanize the lyrics so that Americans (many of whom think the lyrics are patriotic) could appreciate the story line, which is of histrorical and anthroplogic interest. See, e.g., the comments from pedrovonpedro below.
Very nice, I am an American and learned this as a child(50 years ago) . I actually thought this was the tune of Australia's national anthem with different lyrics--like God Save The Queen (we sing My Country Tis Of Thee). Still kind of wish it was because it's so singable.
I could've sworn some of words were different when we learned this is choir, like even sheep had a different name in the sheet music and there was some can you boiled water in.
@AkaXNaruto13 Indeed, the 19th Century Australian nouns are different from those used for the same objects in modern American English. But the translation was extensively researched, not only in terms of linguistics but also the anthropology.
Me not like to say anything negative about others work. So
mrpunch51 4 weeks ago
ACAB in all eras
ulogisk 1 month ago
you stupid americans we are taught in school the meaning of this song so shut the hell up and mind your own broken country
slongy1984 1 month ago
@slongy1984 If it weren't for our broken country, you'd be bowing before your Japanese masters.
ProfMichaelson 1 month ago
@ProfMichaelson --Not really. I'm American, too, and learned the bullshit about Guadalcanal, too. It was crap. The real fight was on Kokua Trail in New Guinea. Never hear of it in U.S. schools, but it broke the back of the Japanese South Seas Army a month before Guadalcanal.
kathrynsmith724 1 week ago
this isn't even half of what waltzing matilda is really about.
trust me im australian
WRKAQARG 1 month ago
@WRKAQARG lol. You aren't old enough to know anything about it of your own knowledge. You have to rely on research just like all the rest of us mortals. Likewise, most Americans don't have a clue what the lyrics of "Yankee Doodle" mean.
ProfMichaelson 1 month ago
@ProfMichaelson There was an instant, the moment when I quickly hit reply, where I prepared myself to write a snarky remark; that instant faded. You are absolutely correct and I discuss this with my colleagues all the time. Education, especially that which deals with science or history, is severely lacking in this country.
Kaylus 1 month ago
Its even worse that you would make this for childrenbecause they will tell other what they heard and it won't be right and they wont even know until they came to Australia and they will feel bad that they get it wrong. Plus is should how little respect you have for us and I am austrailan, and I feel very disrespected by it.
bebell123456 1 month ago
@bebell123456 There are other ways children can learn that, like many countries, Australia once had no middle class, just wealthy land barons and homeless people who had to fend for themselves, as in the folk song. The Occupy people seem to think this is still true in the U.S. And like you, some American Southerners take offense if someone mentions their history of slavery. But those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.
ProfMichaelson 1 month ago
A billabong is not really a waterhole, it is a temporary branch of creek, quite shallow, really. A jumbuck is not a sheep, but a young lamb. Coolerber is not a .Coolibah. A crappy job!
coroboree 1 month ago
@coroboree The same may be said for the terrific horror film "Let Me In," the outstanding TV series "Homeland"; indeed all Americanizations of foreign-language entertainment projects. With entertainment, the story is the thing.
ProfMichaelson 1 month ago
@coroboree A waterhole can be any depression of water, and we use it quite often to mean an bit of a creek where water has accumulated. Similar to what you refer to as a "billabong".
As to the jumbuck term -- learn something new everyday! I wasn't aware that it was a constrained term, but for your reference a lamb is a young sheep.
Listening to the lyrics she does say cool-e-bah tree. But, of course, I'm sure that an Australian isn't going to tease people for their accent... right?
Kaylus 1 month ago
awesome! thank you!! love this!
yay4fb 2 months ago
Ignore the haters, ProfMichaelson. As someone who goes through a lot of old folk music myself, it's easy to see that lyrics change over time, are re-used, and are sometimes completely rewritten. I understand your purpose behind the video and song - when I listen to it, I think "Ah! So that's what the song is about! Cool!" It doesn't replace the "original" song; it complements it.
kamikazesamurai 3 months ago
@kamikazesamurai Thanks for getting it. It's nice to know there are people who do.
ProfMichaelson 3 months ago
Great rendition of the song, however...why did you do away with the archaic Socceroo terminology? You sing a song the way it's written! The only time you change the lyrics is if you're making a parody like Weird Al Yankovic. Otherwise, sing it how it's written. BTW I'm American and I think this is just wrong.
MMusashi7 3 months ago
@MMusashi7 This is done all the time as when "Frere Jacques" is sung with English lyrics. I did it the other way around too, made a hit record in France by having a folk singer perform "Michael Row Your Boat Ashore" in French. There is nothing wrong with performing a song in different languages.
ProfMichaelson 3 months ago
@MMusashi7 Yea Im American and I feel the same way! Its like this version is for children or something!
joetubealong 3 months ago
this is so lame compared to its lovely predecessor !
IRememberTheOldDays 3 months ago
Although your intensions are good, this is just a terrible idea. First of all, if people REALLY want to know what the words mean they can easily google them.....if they are not capable of doing a few moments of resesarch then they are to blame for not understanding. Second, the entire point of the poem was to be Nationalist, and by removing the local dialect it removes the essence of the poetic verse.
People should develop their Schema(s) rather than a piece of literature having to change. :)
lukesanby 4 months ago
@lukesanby "A few moments of research" won't provide the historical amd anthropologic context. For instance, the word "shepard" is apt to conjure up an image of a man wearing a robe and sandals and carrying a staff, as opposed to someone in a unfiorm on horseback brandishing a sword. And no one is trying to extinguish a dialect, the way the Brits did that to the indigenous populations of Australia and the Americas. Rather, it's a visually enhanced translation.
ProfMichaelson 4 months ago
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lukesanby 4 months ago
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lukesanby 4 months ago
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lukesanby 4 months ago
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lukesanby 4 months ago
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lukesanby 4 months ago
and u completly got rid of the part abou the billy, a tin can u boil tea in
puck889 4 months ago
why did u change all the australian slang?
puck889 4 months ago
@puck889 Because the purpose was to Americanize the lyrics so that Americans (many of whom think the lyrics are patriotic) could appreciate the story line, which is of histrorical and anthroplogic interest. See, e.g., the comments from pedrovonpedro below.
ProfMichaelson 4 months ago
Very nice, I am an American and learned this as a child(50 years ago) . I actually thought this was the tune of Australia's national anthem with different lyrics--like God Save The Queen (we sing My Country Tis Of Thee). Still kind of wish it was because it's so singable.
pedrovonpedro 4 months ago
Now, if anybody asks what the bloody hell the original song was about, you can point them here...
therealjoebloggs 4 months ago
oh pl..ea..ze.......dopey
tonibarnett01 5 months ago
I could've sworn some of words were different when we learned this is choir, like even sheep had a different name in the sheet music and there was some can you boiled water in.
AkaXNaruto13 5 months ago
@AkaXNaruto13 Indeed, the 19th Century Australian nouns are different from those used for the same objects in modern American English. But the translation was extensively researched, not only in terms of linguistics but also the anthropology.
ProfMichaelson 5 months ago
Nicely done!
trojan123v1 8 months ago
Wow, very nicely done! Why doesn't this have more views?
holeypants74 8 months ago
@holeypants74 It hasn't been up very long, and we don't have money to promote it. But thanks for the kind words, and tell your friends to watch it.
ProfMichaelson 8 months ago
Yikes, it's just a sheep, you don't have to kill yourself over it.
Not bad.
22Tesla 9 months ago
@22Tesla: It wasn't about the sheep last time I checked.
AkaXNaruto13 5 months ago