Joan Baez - And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda

(See Lyrics below.) A song about a young Australian soldier maimed during the Battle of Gallipoli (1915) during the First World War; written by Eric Bogle in 1972. The paintings of Degas, Sargent, and the visual arts of Spadecaller, augment the song's theme.

LYRICS:

Now when I was a young lad I carried me pack
And I lived the free life of the rover.
From the Murray's green banks, to the dusty outback
While I waltzed my Matilda all over.
Then in 1915, my country said, 'Son,
It's time you stop ramblin', there's work to be done.'
So they gave me a tin hat, and they gave me a gun,
And they marched me away to the war.

And the band played 'Waltzing Matilda,'
As the ship pulled away from the quay,
Amidst the songs and the cheers, the flag waving, and tears,
We sailed off for Gallipoli.

And how well I remember that terrible day,
How our blood stained the sand we call Suvla Bay
We were butchered like lambs at the slaughter.

The big Turkish shell caught me arse over head,
And when I woke up in my hospital bed
And saw what it had done, well, I wished I was dead
Never knew there was worse things than dying.

So I'll go no more 'Waltzing Matilda,'
or through the green bush bars and wide
For to hunt and tent peg a man needs both legs,
No more 'Waltzing Matilda' for me.

They gathered the injured, the wounded, the maimed,
And they shipped us all back to Australia.
The armless, the legless, the blind, the insane,
Those proud wounded heroes of Suvla.

And as our ship sailed into Circular Quay,
I looked at the place where me legs used to be,
And thanked Christ there was nobody waiting for me,
To mourn, and to grieve, and to pity.

And the band played "Waltzing Matilda"
As they wheeled us down the gangway.
And nobody cheered, they just stood and stared.
And they all turned their faces away.

And the band still plays 'Waltzing Matilda,'
And the young men still answer the call,
But as year follows year, those old men disappear
Someday, no one will march there at all.

Waltzing Mathilda, Waltzing Mathilda
Who'll come a-waltzing Mathilda with me
And their ghosts may be heard as you pass the Billabong
Who'll come a-waltzing Mathilda with me ?

Category:

Music

Tags:

• folk
• Baez
• WWI
• Australia
• Gallipoli
• War
• Peace
• AnzarCove
• Spadecaller

[nv7103]

somoene once told me there would be no peace whilst 2 humans were left on the earth but if the last man standing was scottish, he'd just fall out with himself. Made me smile and I hope it does for you too. Just remember it's often politicians in bunkers who send the troops to fight their squabbles. Oh for a bottle to share between nations and a night of song and laughter in the soul. Great recording, thanks for posting.

[candicesdad1]

@willymaccy I agree with you, fanatics are dead set on demanding how we live after we die by killing millions during this life time. John Lennon said "imagine no religion to live or die for". The question of how "god" can be on both sides of a war really is strange to me. Koran or Bible. neither make any sense

[southwoodside]

@willymaccy They got rid of religion in the Soviet Union. How many died : 60 million ? More. Same in Mao's China. 70 million dead. Killed or starved. Yeah, sure, better without religion so they can have "peace" to torture, imprison, oppress, censor, starve and SLAUGHTER !

[diprobocoala]

elke minuut,24/7 is het wel ergens oorlog of andere shit

wat een treurige aapje's zijn we toch

[SuperClintEastwood]

I don't know what religion has to do with this. How about instead we just let people have their beliefs (or disbeliefs) and not try and change it. We can't get rid of religion or atheism so how about we try coexistence?

[jaylay734]

No top comment? Well I'd just like to say that this song gives me chills . . . especially the end. Hauntingly beautiful

[drummingmassigermany]

@RPenta

before i write a word (excuse me, cause my bad english)

i'll think "RPenta" isn't wrong, it's a great version, the only version i've ever heard was from Ronnie Drew, from the Dubliners, .... and i loved (and still love) that Version, ... but that here is a great Version, too

[RPenta]

@Robertz1986 Clean out your ears; she did a good job; Joan is a legendary folk singer. But nobody can top Eric Bogle's own version of this song.

[23zowie23]

Killing me softly ...Its now happening in Afghanistan... I wonder if it is really worth it .... great lads and I feel for their familes. At 71 I have seen a bit of life but never this side. Graham Melb Aus

[KITCHENOFDISTINCTION]

Great posting of a lovely song - thanks