Waltzing Matilda

"Waltzing Matilda" is Australia's most widely known folk song and one that has been popularly suggested as a potential national anthem many times. The song is well-known and strongly associated with Australia outside the country as well.

Related Topics:
Australia - Folk song - National anthem

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The lyrics to the song were written by the poet and nationalist Banjo Paterson in 1895, who originally set them to a slightly different tune. Extensive folklore surrounds the song and the process of its creation, to the extent that the song has its own museum, the Waltzing Matilda Centre, of Winton, Queensland.

Related Topics:
Banjo Paterson - 1895 - Waltzing Matilda Centre - Winton, Queensland

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There have long been persistent calls for the establishment of Waltzing Matilda as the national anthem over the current national anthem, "Advance Australia Fair". The song is certainly easily recognisable and easily sung, but its lyrics, relating the story of a swagman who steals a sheep and drowns himself when law enforcement arrives, render it unlikely to ever gain acceptance in official circles. Many Australians, however, continue to regard it with great favour and sentimentality. Some have suggested using the same tune but with different lyrics, but supporters argue the lyrics contribute substantially to the song's character.

Related Topics:
Advance Australia Fair - Swagman

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It enjoyed a brief period of official recognition as the Australian national song (coexisting with "Advance Australia Fair" as the National Anthem). It was used at the Montreal Olympic Games in 1976, and, as a response to the New Zealand All Blacks haka, it has gained popularity as a sporting anthem for the Australian Rugby Union Team. It is also performed, along with Advance Australia Fair, at the annual AFL Grand Final. As of 2004 it has no official status, but it continues to be used unofficially (and sometimes in error) in many contexts.

Related Topics:
National song - Advance Australia Fair - Montreal Olympic Games - 1976 - All Blacks - Haka - AFL - As of 2004

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It was also performed at the closing ceremony of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney by Slim Dusty as well as at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane in 1982 by Rolf Harris.

Related Topics:
2000 Olympic Games - Sydney - Slim Dusty - Commonwealth Games - Brisbane - 1982 - Rolf Harris

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"Waltzing Matilda" has been recorded by many Australian musicians and singers, including by The Seekers (with Athol Guy, Bruce Woodley, Keith Potger and Judith Durham), Thomas Edmonds and Rolf Harris.

Related Topics:
The Seekers - Athol Guy - Bruce Woodley - Keith Potger - Judith Durham - Thomas Edmonds - Rolf Harris

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