Re. Waltzing Matilda...Confession time!
I was actually moved by Heath's passing to search out Waltzing Matilda and teach myself the song some 3 weeks ago. So now if I ever go to Australia, I can Waltz Matilda with the best of them.
Here are two YouTube clips that have the song.
This first is an upbeat happy version, which also talks through and explains all the Aussie terms (swagman, billabong, jombuck, tucker bag...) so clueless foreigners get what's going on. Well worth the listening.
This next is the "Seekers" Group singing the song live at a huge sports event. Really goes to show that the song serves as Australia's unofficial national anthem.
As for what I got out of the lyrics;; - a deceptively simple and down-to-earth tale of an ordinary guy, living poor and free and finding simple joys in life as he passes through that life, though it's hardscrabble, tough and no bed of roses. He grabs his opportunities where he finds them, doesn't bow to the pressures of power and authorities, and is ready to give his life for his personal freedom.
A song worthy of both Australia and Matilda Ledger, was my opinion once I got that far.