File this under: “You Learn Something New Every Day.”
I’m catching up on People and Places itching to get out of the “A” countries and into the “Bs”. But the section on Australia is HUGE.
And next thing you know, I’m disabused of the notion that Waltzing Matilda is a nice woman on the outback. Oh no! A waltzing matilda is an Australian hobo.
Ay!
A matilda is a blanket roll; to waltz matilda is to tramp the roads.
The who knew? questions burns in my brain. Tell me truly, did y’all know this already?
A Living Pencil 
I freely admit I didn’t know this! BUT Mrs. Harriman, my 6th grade teacher, did teach us this song and make us sing it. I don’t think she ever explained what all the words meant, though…
I didn’t know!..but what fun music! I bought a set of “People and Places” on E-bay…thanks for the good advice!
I had no idea! I always wondered who Matilda was and why she got a song all to herself which linked her to Australia, but it never occurred to me that it wasn’t a woman! See what happens when I assume? It makes sense though, there are some pretty interesting idioms in their ‘language’!
I did know that, and the way I knew it is that the song was popular during WWII and the background was known at that time. I taught it to my students and explained who Matilda was. But that was such a long time ago that it is understandable that it isn’t well known today. Fun song – kids always loved to sing it.
I didn’t know that, but my mother, here in the same room seemed surprised that I didn’t.
Thanks for the smile today TCan’t help but to grin when you watch the video!
I DID!! I DID!!!! (she said waving her hand wildly in the air…)
no, i didn’t – but dh did! but then he is a walking encyclopedia with a working reference volume…
@juleel – I see that hand, Julie! (Do you know the old cartoon? A preacher is in a clock shop saying, “I see that hand. I see that hand. Yes, over there, I see that hand.”)
Good one!! i grew up in a Southern Baptist church, along with a 100 repetitions of “Just As I Am..” Love the clock shop.