Bugger
07-05-2005, 05:49 PM
'Waltzing Matilda' highlights 'silly' Australia
http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200507/r51598_137997.jpg
The author of a book on Australia's unofficial national anthem says a simple song about a swagman committing suicide highlights that Australians are a "silly lot".
Western Queensland historian Richard Magoffin has released a second edition of his Waltzing Matilda book, which sold 30,000 copies when it was first released 10 years ago, to commemorate 110 years since the words were penned.
He says he is not sure why a simple song about a swagman continues to evoke such national pride.
"It's a bit of a mystery, but I can put us a bit on the track," he said.
"We call a tall man Shorty, a red-headed bloke Bluey and a big fella's called Tiny. You can call your mate a proper mongrel, Anzac Day commemorates a dreadful military disaster, and we sing a silly song about a suicide. It all suits us, we're a silly lot."
Mr Magoffin says the song is an important part of national culture and should be celebrated.
"A lot of the history has been forgotten, not just on this subject," he said.
"We're losing too much of our culture [and] that's one of my aims, and of course keeping the records straight.
"The origins of the song, they came from our part of the country and it's our piece of heritage."
http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200507/r51598_137997.jpg
The author of a book on Australia's unofficial national anthem says a simple song about a swagman committing suicide highlights that Australians are a "silly lot".
Western Queensland historian Richard Magoffin has released a second edition of his Waltzing Matilda book, which sold 30,000 copies when it was first released 10 years ago, to commemorate 110 years since the words were penned.
He says he is not sure why a simple song about a swagman continues to evoke such national pride.
"It's a bit of a mystery, but I can put us a bit on the track," he said.
"We call a tall man Shorty, a red-headed bloke Bluey and a big fella's called Tiny. You can call your mate a proper mongrel, Anzac Day commemorates a dreadful military disaster, and we sing a silly song about a suicide. It all suits us, we're a silly lot."
Mr Magoffin says the song is an important part of national culture and should be celebrated.
"A lot of the history has been forgotten, not just on this subject," he said.
"We're losing too much of our culture [and] that's one of my aims, and of course keeping the records straight.
"The origins of the song, they came from our part of the country and it's our piece of heritage."