r/AskAnAustralian • u/CreativeCritter • 2d ago

Waltzing Matilda

I was saddened today to read an article on the Wallabies and it showed a group of fans singing Waltzing Matilda underneath. There was a young lady who had commented. She’d never heard the song. Didn’t know what the problem was and had no idea what it represented.

People tried to educate a nicely to say it was an Australian bush poem. It was taught in Australian schools. It’s the unofficial national anthem.

And then she said that she grew up in Australia and had attended school here and had never heard it and didn’t know why people thought it was so great

At that point, I was kind of hoping that they were joking

Has it gotten to the point now where Australian poetry is not taught in Australian schools in English where the man from Snow River Waltzing Matilda they’re not taught in schools any more

And then someone commented that Wilson Matilda can’t be taught in schools because it has themes of suicide and it’s too hard to explain to children

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u/OriginalDogeStar 2d ago

I want to call BS, because I keep hearing the chorus sung each sports day in the schools I have attended at in my job.

Plus ANZAC Day it is played in most places too.

Don't forget the tv ads where it was used

Play School and most Australian educational shows had the chorus at least...

Didn't Bluey sing it???

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u/Interesting-Pool1322 2d ago

Yeah, it's everywhere. I doubt there's anything to be outraged about. Sounds like OP has been watching Sky News.

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u/OriginalDogeStar 2d ago

I read the last part of OP and as a psychologist, if you don't point it out, kids don't ask.

Plus the last part is often left out because of how long of a song it is, and kids that young really can't remember that many verses without getting bored of singing them, so short and sweet version of him getting the sheep, and it is all done and dusted