MATILDA

(A tribute to Waltzing Matilda for an American audience)

There is something tugs our heart strings when we hear Matilda played.
It’s our special Aussie mateship that we would never trade.
For we don’t think of Billabongs or Swaggies pinching sheep;
No, Matilda stirs up feelings that come from way down deep.

And when we leave Australias shore and overseas we roam,
And then we hear somebody play, Matilda, mate, that’s home.
And though we be in Colorado and Oz is nowhere near,
Just a few bars of Matilda and we’ll shed an Aussie tear.

We sing it at the football and at every sporting game;
It’s often out of tune, but we love it just the same.
In triumph we sang it, long and loud in eighty-three,
When from you Yanks we won that cup, held for eternity.

Matilda brings back memories of our brave men at the war.
Of our Diggers on Kokoda, keeping evil from our door.
And of the Yanks who helped us out in defending our great land,
That we could live in comfort and reach out a helping hand.

So should you come down under, we treat everone the same,
Just pay your way, say “Good-day” and play a sporting game.
You’ll need to quickly understand, you’re in a sporting paradise;
For we play every game there is and even some with dice.

Matilda brings back memories from way back in our past,
Of family, friends and mateships, that we know will always last.
For me it’s fishing on the ‘bidgee, just the river Dad and me,
Gaining knowledge round a campfire, with a mug of billy tea.

But, it’s not the images we see each time we hear that song,
It’s knowing we’re Australian and it’s knowing we belong.
It’s being a member of the team that makes our Nation great.
It’s knowing that to make it, we have to pull our weight.

So when you hear some Aussies, sing Matilda loud.
Don’t pass us off as just, a noisy drinking crowd.
We’re celebrating freedom and all that we hold dear.
And that we’d like to share, but bring your own flamin beer.