Eric Bogle - The Band Played Waltzing Matilda

****Note added 25 April 2010:

When I was asked to create this presentation for a Remembrance Day assembly, I didn't know how I would show an "anti-war" song at an event that is supposed to honour our veterans. At the same time, war and military conflict was such a distant concept for our students, I wanted to some how make history relevant to them, let alone an "Australian" song that most of the our middle school students have never heard.

The more I listened to Bogle's words, the more I realized that this song was about more than a moment in history. It's about how history repeats itself and the great sacrifices that are made during war and how futile it all is if we fail to learn from our mistakes.

Making the transition from B/W to full colour to coincide with Bogle's words "We started all over again," I wanted to show how war is part of our past, present and (unfortunately) future.

Great sacrifices have been made because of war. Bogle asks "What are they marching for?" I say they are marching to honour those sacrifices. If any veteran is offended by this video, I truly do apologize.

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April 25 - ANZAC Day
November 11 - Remembrance Day

"Waltzing Matilda" is a very famous Australian folk song and a "Matilda" was the name given to the pack that Australian farm workers carried on their backs.

To "Waltz Matilda" meant to carry your pack of belongings through the bush.

The song "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" by Eric Bogle is about Australian soldiers who fought against Turkish troops and died in the Battle of Gallipoli in World War I.

Mixed with pictures from Gallipoli are pictures of past and present Canadian troops because this song and slideshow was played during a Remembrance Day assembly at a Canadian public school.

Information about this song was taken from this web page (which is NOT mine) that talks about Eric Bogle's performance of this song:

http://www.fortunecity.com/tinpan/parton/2/matilda.html

Judging by a lot of people's comments, I should have used another source for info and double-checked the data. I hope that Bogle's message reaches beyond just numbers--because all sacrifices big or small are significant.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Bogle
• folk
• soldier
• gallipoli
• matilda
• remembrance
• world
• war
• Australia
• Canada
• music
• ANZAC
• history
• New
• Zealand
• Turk
• dead
• protest

[alanbstard4]

@irynski Neville Wran said the best thing about the working class is getting out of it

[irynski]

@jamsieboy1986 This song uses the device of first-person narrative leading us through naivety & the desire to fight for that which we, as ordinary people, deem to be morally honourable. It's the story of a working-class man-boy who believes that the ruling classes hold the same ideals. Only, as the story unfolds, does he question the truth of the sacrifice he & so many others made for the privileged/elite to uphold THEIR power & interests. Sadness & questions are predominant, not anger.

[irynski]

@jamsieboy1986 More 'emtional'?

Okay, I'm not going to barrage you over a typo... but I think you ought to consider the time difference between this, the original (1971 during the Vietnam war), and 'The Pogues' cover wasn't released until 1985!

Personally, I've always adored 'The Pogues' but Shane's rendition - while fabulously done - doesn't do justice to the confusion posed by Bogle's lyrics. Shane spits it out bitterly which doesn't tally with unfolding of a storyline as it evolves.

[irynski]

@alanbstard4 lol! A working class hero is something NOT to be unless you can reap the rewards (in spades) while you live a long and lucrative life. Those who are/have become true working class heroes have martyred themselves in order for the bastards of the world to make a tidy profit from their names.

Long live the revolution (so long as I can make a buck out of it and maintain an audience who can't get enough of my hypocrisy)! Nice work if you can get it.

[jamsieboy1986]

The Pogues version is more emtional!

[alanbstard4]

@irynski oh yes. Bragg is a true communist. In the end there is money, usually somebody else's for him.Williamson is the only chap I know of that cultivates illiteracy. Manufactured commercial ockerism

[irynski]

@alanbstard4 I suspect the 'moon' to Braggs tides are his bank account, stock, bonds, shares....

I'll be pulling out some old images from 'The Bulletin' and reading "Clancy of the Overflow". Squawk, "Any'ow, 'ave a Winfield!" then you, too, can dodge taxes & have the support of the taxpaying masses, too.

That was sheer cruelty throwing John Williamson into the mix. I've just turned blue-y at the mention of his name. Freedom of expression is one thing - but he should be illegal.

[HunterReptileRooms]

@alanbstard4. Fiddle di dee fiddle di die john williamson is the man this boys just a guy.. And an Aussie to boot...

[MrSlywon]

you clowns have no idea, listen to the words for shits sake

[alanbstard4]

@irynski well, John Williamson elevated the art of the ocker and proved himself an idiot. Think twice before you do it

However, if there's quid in it, go ahead, Billy Bragg may be there. He's socialism is tidal. It comes and goes