I am so happy to be able to celebrate Australia Day today. It’s an incredible gift to be in this wonderful country that has been such a haven for me, a place of real love, kindness, friendship and LIFE.
As I celebrate in the glorious sunshine with my dear ones, I leave you with the words of one of my favorite Aussie songs, complete with English translations of Aussie terms as supplied by my Bear. 🙂
Australia Day
Waltzing Matilda
Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong
Under the shade of a coolibah tree
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled
You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me
(swagman = an unemployed man traveling Australia in search of work with his bedroll – a swag, billabong = a water hole or lake, coolibah = type of gum tree, billy = usually a tin can with a wire handle, used to boil water over the fire for tea.)
Down came a jumbuck to drink at the billabong
Up got the swaggie and grabbed him with glee
And he sang as he stowed that jumbuck in his tucker-bag
You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me
(jumbuck = a young sheep, swaggie = same as swagman, tucker-bag = a corn sack or sugar bag used to keep tucker (food) in)
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me
And he sang as he stowed that jumbuck in his tucker-bag
You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me
Down came the squatter mounted on his thoroughbred
Up came the troopers One Two Three
Who’s the jolly jumbuck you’ve got in your tucker-bag?
You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me
(squatter = a rich land owner, troopers = mounted police)
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me
Who’s the jolly jumbuck you’ve got in your tucker-bag?
You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me.
Up got the swaggie and jumped into the billabong
You’ll never catch me alive said he
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong
You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong
You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me
What country are YOU celebrating life in today?
Beautiful pictures, Happy Australia Day! Thanks for the lyrics to Waltzing Matilda! Cheers!
Thank you so much! 🙂 You’re very welcome! I only knew part of them until today. 🙂
Happy Australia Day! Would you believe our music teacher made us sing that song in 3rd grade? Lol. Have fun!
That’s hilarious, El! Funny the things music teachers do, eh? I remember singing “kookaburra sits in the old gum tree” 🙂
We are glad you are here Krista. xoxo
Thank you, dearest Barbara. XO You’ve made my homecoming so special. 🙂
Haha, I’m sure your non-Australian readers will appreciate the translations 🙂 It my mum ages to understand all the slang here when we first moved to Australia. Happy Australia Day!
I’ll bet it took your mom ages! I’m STILL asking “what is THAT?” several times a week. 🙂 Happy Australia Day to you!! 🙂
I never really knew the translations of this song ore even more than one chorus. I am celebrating today in Canada:D I m so happy you have embraced your new home:D
And what a beautiful country to celebrate today in, Val. 🙂
Happy Australia Day, Krista. The words to waltzing Matilda is perfect for today’s celebration!
Thank you so much, Jenny! 🙂
I have tears in my eyes, what a beautiful ode to your new country!
It makes me teary too, Andi. I feel so grateful, so happy. xo
Thank you!! I loved RIchard Scarry’s pictures too! Especially the TV-series with the cats. But I suppose they are based on the books.
Stunned by your photos as always. The waterfalls in your post here below… amazing!! Reminds me of that I wish to visit the national park Krka in Croatia some day. (A little bit closer than Australia… :-))
Do you live in Australia or are you traveling there? I think I read that you were going to move there? I have a friend who has been traveling in Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the US this winter but I think she liked New Zeeland better than Australia.
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I’m so glad you’re a Richard Scarry fan too, Malin! 🙂 I want to visit that Croatian Park as well. Just yesterday I was looking at a photo from there. Stunning! I am living/traveling in Australia for a year and hope to move here permanently. 🙂 I’ve been to New Zealand and Australia and love them both – they’re so different. 🙂
Beautiful photos, love that sunset shot.
Greetings, Krista! My nephew moved to Australia one day before Australia Day last week and is already loving it:) He only plan to be there for a year or maybe a little more, but who knows how long that will turn in to! I wish I could tell you where he is but all I remember is that he is there for education with Hillsong. He is a singer, songwriter and pianist.
I’m so glad you have found a place you love so much:) Thanks for sharing your wonderful photography with us all.