A piece of Australiacana

"Waltzing Matilda" is Australia's most widely known folk song, and has been referred to as the unofficial national anthem of Australia. There are several versions about, but the original lyrics were written around 1895. It is one of those songs that has a different history and meaning depending who you talk to. Essentially, the song narrates the story of an itinerant worker making a drink of tea at a bush camp and stealing a sheep to eat. When the sheep's owner arrives with three police officers to arrest the worker, he drowns himself in a small watering hole and goes on to haunt the site. The video above gives a bit of background of the song. To waltz is to carry your pack around in the Bush.

I originally thought this song was the song everyone was talking about. This song commemorates the loss of 50,000 Australian solidier at Gallipoli in World War I. As you can imagine, it is quite depressing, yet is a beautiful song. Give them both a listen.

You now have your talking points for when you come face to face with an Aussie.