thoughts on 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'

Subject: RE: thoughts on 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Mrrzy
Date: 27 Apr 23 - 11:41 PM

Great song. I can't sing it.

Cry, cry, cry.

Subject: RE: thoughts on 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Rapparee
Date: 27 Apr 23 - 11:23 PM

The line that always gets me is

“But nobody cheered
They just stood there and stared
Then they turned all their faces away.”

Subject: RE: thoughts on 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: GerryM
Date: 27 Apr 23 - 10:39 PM

At Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/And_the_Band_Played_Waltzing_Matilda#Historical_accuracy
it says,

"The line "they gave me a tin hat" is anachronistic, as steel helmets were not issued to British and Empire troops at Gallipoli.

"Walsh (2018) suggests that the line "they marched me away to the war" implies compulsion in the form of conscription, whereas all Australian troops in Europe were volunteers, and the government did not force conscripts to fight overseas.

"The song refers to the fighting at Suvla Bay in the lines:

"And how well I remember that terrible day, how our blood stained the sand and the water.
And of how in that hell that they called Suvla Bay, we were butchered like lambs at the slaughter.

"The vast majority of the 16,000 Australian and New Zealand troops landed not at Suvla but at Anzac Cove, 8 kilometres to the south, and some 15 weeks earlier. There was a small Australian presence at Suvla, the Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train, an engineering and construction unit comprising 350 men, of whom none were killed during the initial landing and two by the time the campaign was abandoned eleven months later. Bogle states that he substituted "Suvla" for "Anzac" because at the time he wrote the song (1971) there was a "deeply ingrained misconception" amongst Australians that all their troops had fought entirely at Suvla. He also states that it was easier to incorporate the word "Suvla" into the lyric."

Subject: RE: thoughts on 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Apr 23 - 07:24 PM

he wrote so many brilliant songs - but ...

… Then in 1915, my country said "son
It's time you stopped rambling, 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…

A bit of artistic licence? or did he get it wrong? My Grandmother's 3 brothers & all their mates were wearing Akubras just like the one I wear, image 34, right - they didn't get their tin hats until they went to France, where one of my Great uncles died.

My Akubra keeps the rain off my glasses & the sun out of my eyes, but ...

A google image search shows the Turks were also lacking tin hats.

Subject: RE: thoughts on 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 27 Apr 23 - 07:05 AM

Agreed Pete. Also, ‘As If He Knows’ - remembering the horses who served, not specifically at Gallipoli but throughout the war, and the terrible fate of those that survived only to be shot rather than be brought home to Oz or left to the cruelty they faced at the hands of the local populations.

The song’s theme, of each soldier shooting his mate’s faithful servant and friend, brings a lump to my throat every time.

Cheers buddy…

Subject: RE: thoughts on 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Bugsy
Date: 27 Apr 23 - 06:23 AM

Check out " the Gift Of Years" if you fancy a good old cry.

CHeers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: thoughts on 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: GerryM
Date: 26 Apr 23 - 06:12 PM

Rounding out the Bogle trilogy is the song, All the Fine Young Men, available at https://youtu.be/SgpiQF_ulzM

Subject: RE: thoughts on 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Vincent Jones
Date: 26 Apr 23 - 05:48 PM

Gallipoli is glorified more and more with every passing year.

Where I grew up in Lancashire (the Lancashire Fusiliers played their part - six VCs and 1,600 Fusiliers in Turkish graves) the survivors would, by and large, see it in Mr Campbell's terms, with a bit of harsh sentiment about how wars turn working men against each other, whatever their language, religion or colour of their uniform.

Then in the 1980s I read how, instead of Mr Campbell's views presiding, it was now (due to Weir's film "Gallipoli") about how the plucky Anzacs fought and died whilst the British soldiers sat around drinking tea (tea drinking note - though every single life lost there was an utter tragedy, three times as many British soldiers died than Anzacs - and over a third of Anzacs were British born - but far fewer than the 56,000 Turks who died defending their land - the unofficial figure is almost 170,000).

In the 1990s I remember how it became fashionable for Anzac Day to be reported in Australian tabloids showing how hoons get rat-arsed and piss and vomit on the Gallipoli battlefields.

I would not be surprised if, after the current glorification of the Gallipoli campaign, it becomes a theme park. Already there are many companies profiting nicely from battlefield tourism.

So much for Mr Campbell's wish for the campaign to be forgotten.

Subject: RE: thoughts on 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 Apr 23 - 04:53 PM

It was. My great Uncle Jimmy died uselessly, along with many another, on the beaches in Gallipoli. He was nineteen. They even managed to spell his surname wrong on the memorial in Salford Cathedral. No body to bring home, of course. And I'm going to say summat I haven't read anywhere in this thread: I think Shane did a great job with the song!

Subject: RE: thoughts on 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Apr 23 - 04:23 PM

Churchill cock up

Subject: RE: thoughts on 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Tony Rees
Date: 26 Apr 23 - 04:09 PM

Alec Campbell - born 1899!!

Subject: RE: thoughts on 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Tony Rees
Date: 26 Apr 23 - 04:07 PM

Also maybe worth a read, for those interested: Wikipedia: Alec Campbell (last survivor of the Anzacs, d. 2002) ... quoted in that article: Shortly before his death, Campbell stated that "For god's sake, don't glorify Gallipoli - it was a terrible fiasco, a total failure and best forgotten". Food for thought there.

Subject: RE: thoughts on 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Tony Rees
Date: 26 Apr 23 - 03:51 PM

Sorry, link above was clipped and will not work, this one should: The NSW veterans capturing the Anzac Day spirit

Subject: RE: thoughts on 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Tony Rees
Date: 26 Apr 23 - 02:48 PM

Just giving this thread a nudge as Anzac Day has just been and gone here (Australia). Amazing to think that Eric wrote this one 52 years ago now.

"Year by year, their numbers get fewer"... presumably written about the original Anzacs, all gone in the intervening time. "Some day no-one will march there at all". True regarding the veterans of Gallipoli, but not by those who honour them: The NSW veterans capturing the Anzac Day spirit

- Tony

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Clipper
Date: 20 Apr 08 - 07:07 AM

Just a note, Beer played this song last night at a venue in Hemmingford. He did a really fine rendition, was treat to hear. NIce one Beer...

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Kev The Clogs
Date: 20 Apr 08 - 06:52 AM

One that I do from time to time - 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'. It was the FIRST folk song that I ever learnt - not sure whare I heard it, but I must have been thirteen or so. Learnt it and sang to myself or in the bath. Only started singing in public four years ago (and I'm 44 now!!) It was that song that sowed the seeds for me - just took a long time to come up!!

Kev

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: GUEST,quokka
Date: 20 Apr 08 - 01:21 AM

Thanks Muttley, Khe Sanh is indeed a great song, if ever there be three Aussies or more gathered in a pub anywhere in the world you can guarantee it will be sung...

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Muttley
Date: 20 Apr 08 - 12:19 AM

Hey Quokka!

You forgot the ubiquitous: Khe Sahn.

If you want shivers up your spine and a truly gut response to "I was Only Nineteen" try listening to it sung/played in a hall full of Vietnam Veterans!

I was 'Padre' to the Vietnam Veterans otorcycle Club for 10 years and I can tell you for fact that the moment this one came up, blokes got really introspective and misty-eyed and I've seen a fair exodus from the hall by openly weeping blokes on many occasions.

Muttley

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 07:59 PM

I heard a lovely version of 'And The Band Played Washin' My Dildo' the other day.

Very moving...

Seamus

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 10:27 AM

One of my favourites is "LETTER TO SYRACUSE" (check the digitrad).

"I wrote me a letter to Syracuse, it was a letter full of lies
I told them we were doing fine, very much to their surprise
For how were they to know that here, the ground was soaked in red
Or that we could fill the valley with our dead."

To me, that says it all.......

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: quokka
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 09:17 AM

Thanks, oldhippie, I first heard the Ballad of Penny Evans from Michelle Shocked about 20 years ago and that led me to Steve Goodman's work. Brilliant songwriter.

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Rapparee
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 09:25 AM

What has always touched me about this song is the enthusiastic sendoff and the "we don't want to see what we've done" return.

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: oldhippie
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 07:28 AM

quokka,
there's "The Ballad of Penny Evans".

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: quokka
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 12:20 AM

Thanks, Sandra, these threads are brilliant. Wouldn't it be great if those who make the decisions on sending people to wars could be made 'Clockwork Orange' style, to read this stuff and listen to these songs...

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 08:36 PM

quokka, previous threads that might interest you (warning - lots of reading here, settle down in a comfy chair, with a cuppa or whatever & turn off the phone/lock the door).

songs about Vietnam war

more songs about Vietnam

Anti-war songs to fit the occasion

Vietnam era protest songs

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Clipper
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 07:35 PM

I played it often during a series of concerts I gave several years ago at the golden age center of the Montreal Association For The Blind. One of those "burgers for some song" monthly gigs. It was always popular and I remember many of the seniors getting up and dancing to it. I guess i'm not that far off from dancing to it myself....

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: kendall
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 07:33 PM

Ah yes, I can see it now, when we go out in the evening she could really "put on the dog"

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Becca72
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 01:46 PM

One of my all-time favorite songs done by my father.
And Dad, if you brush out Seamus I bet you could get enough for Jacqui's coat...just tell her it's 'blonde fox' :-)

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: quokka
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 12:56 PM

I LOVE the parody in the database of this song - rivals Eric's own of Dylan for cheekiness!

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: kendall
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 12:56 PM

Thanks Luv, but I still can't afford that fur coat.

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: jacqui.c
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 12:52 PM

I would put Liam Clancy`s version of this song at the top.

I'd vote for Kendall's version - and it seems that Mr Bogle would as well, if his handwritten letter to Kendall, stating that his was the best version of the song that he had heard, is anything to go by.

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: gnu
Date: 15 Apr 08 - 01:11 PM

It was always the second last song of the night for us.... and always will be.... "done to death" or not.

(The Parting Glass, of course... you had to ask?!)

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Snuffy
Date: 15 Apr 08 - 01:07 PM

Mothers, Daughters, Wives (Judy Small)

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: quokka
Date: 15 Apr 08 - 12:11 PM

I am sure we will be hearing this song a lot come April 25 - Anzac Day here in Oz. Other Australian anti-war songs:
Scorn of the Women - Weddings Parties Anything - chorus:
So don't sing no songs about Waltzing Matilda,
dont't tell them I tried, don't tell them I failed
'cause all I recall is the scorn of the women
and the white feather that I received in the mail(ww2)

I Was Only Nineteen - Redgum:(Vietnam) this song has a line that sends a shiver up my spine every time I hear it:
'And Frankie kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon,
God help me, he was going home in June'
Anyone know any others?

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 15 Apr 08 - 05:06 AM

- "Mike Harding and I got the last two seats in the room" - I remember the night well, Mike borrowed my guitar to do a spot and didn't tell one joke. I would also recommend Liam Clancy's version.

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Rasener
Date: 15 Apr 08 - 04:58 AM

Eat your hearts out me dearies. The only one

I saw Eric Bogle at Cassies, Gainsborough (run by Sooz) and he sang that song and it was left totally stunned. As he was singing it, all I could see was the film Tobruck in my mind, when they went over the top.

Great song and sure does make you think.

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: ard mhacha
Date: 15 Apr 08 - 04:34 AM

I would put Liam Clancy`s version of this song at the top.

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Big Mick
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 07:04 PM

This is another of those songs that gets done to death. There is a reason for that. It is a spectacular creation that perfectly captures that which it seeks to capture. The trick for the performer is to find a way to do it that is stunning, yet not a clone of the way all others do it. For me, I try to capture the the rise and fall of the emotion, excitement, fear, self realization, and resignation that this song contains in the various verses. I use my own experiences to sink into it. I love it so much that I find ways to perform it that keep it from being marginalized by the number of times folks hear it.

Other songs like this, for me, are The Dutchman and Dublin, In The Rare Old Times. Get tons of requests and I just try to keep it in the vein that touched folks originally.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: topical tom
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 05:34 PM

So right! Eric an have you laughing at one moment and crying the next. Truly a consummate singer-songwriter.

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 01:11 PM

DOH!
I am a bit distracted today. High drama at work.

Kendall still does a beautiful job on "And the Band Played Waltzing Mathilda".

Now why do I have No Man's Land on tape in my car? Wonder who is singing it? I will have to dig through the tapes.

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: jacqui.c
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 11:52 AM

I got one of the last three tickets to see Eric at Watford back in 2003. That was where I first came across George Papavgeris as well. I was so blown away that I went to see him at Hitchin a couple of months later.

When he came over to the states a couple of years back a group of us travelled 100 miles each way, in heavy rain, to catch his act. The man is phenomenal and I can't wait for him to be performing somewhere that I can get to see him again.

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Flash Company
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 10:08 AM

Saw Eric at The Malt Shovels in Altrincham the first time he came over here, fantastic night, Mike Harding and I got the last two seats in the room.
He had been over at Leigh the night before, and the members of the Auld Triangle all came over to listen to him again.

FC (Sorry about the name dropping! Gone to wash my mouth out.)

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Snuffy
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 09:51 AM

And now every April I sit on my porch...

ANZAC Day, 25th April.

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: olddude
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 09:32 AM

No Man's Land, haven't thought about that for awhile
thank you ... what an awesome song, so right about Bogle
Dan

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: Beer
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 09:29 AM

You sure are right there jacqui.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: jacqui.c
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 09:19 AM

Wrong song Sins - that's 'No Man's Land' - by the same author.

Bogle can really write songs to tear your heart out!

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 09:15 AM

Kendall Morse does this beautifully on Beginner's Luck. The image of the unknown face in the ragged leather photo frame sums up the futility of it all.

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: olddude
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 08:58 AM

very true statement you made but a good tune never the less

Subject: RE: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: GUEST,PMB
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 08:46 AM

A good song, sadly bludgeoned to death. See Willie McBride passim.

Subject: 'And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda'
From: olddude
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 08:31 AM

I was sitting on my couch playing this song last night. In these troubled times don't you think it is one that should be played from time to time
"And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda"