American Reacts to Waltzing Matilda Explained 

" I was only 19" a brilliant song about Vietnam by Australian group Redgum I highly recommend you have a listen.

The song was inspired by a much sadder event. The shearers strike of 1891 was the turning point in industrial relations in Australia It was between the Shearers, who sheared the sheep and the Squatters who owned the sheep and had the support of the Government. This was a long and bitter dispute that had great ramifications for Australia. The famous poet who wrote this song, Banjo Patterson, was staying on a property where one of these striking shearers committed suicide by drowning himself in a billabong on the property a few months earlier.

I’m glad you watched this! Now if you ever want to watch “And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda” (Eric Bogle) which is a song that tells the story of the ANZACs, you’ll understand the song’s reference to Waltzing Matilda! Even if you don’t react to it that’s fine just maybe watch it yourself sometime. The What is Anzac Day was awesome in giving you an intro to the what and why but the song well let’s just say it captures the emotion.

I only learnt last year that Waltzing Matilda is the official song of the US 1st Marine Division to commemorate the time they spent in Australia during WW2. If your Granddad had any military connections that might be why he knew the song.

Lost my grandfather on Friday at 90 years old, came to Australia at 15 years old from Scotland and went on to be a drover, horse breaker, shearer, ran cattle stations, horse studs, fought in Korea, he loved this song, was the toughest, most caring, least educated most intelligent thirsty for knowledge, least tolerant of fools and most willing to talk for hours with interesting people. I've watched your vids for a while and the timing of this is perfect, if you could have talked to my Pop you would know exactly what Australia used to be and still is to some of us. Vale Jim "Scotty" Galbraith the most Aussie Scott or most Scottish Aussie I have ever known.

In my opinion, this song is far more loved by Aussies than our national anthem. 🇦🇺🦘🇦🇺🦘🇦🇺

As a young girl I remember swaggies coming to the house on the farm (Australia) for some tea, sugar, salt and flour. They were happy to be given whatever we could afford - it was in the 10 years just after WW2. Mum always made them a cold meat sandwich - if we had the meat. We would sit on the verandah and talk. Yes they had their billy, Matilda and maybe a dog. Just thought you may be interested.

That song was written by Banjo Patterson, an Australian poet. This particular version was introduced, commentated, and sung by the now disgraced Rolf Harris. I wont go into WHY he was disgraced, only that Rolf Harris, the Boy from Bassendean, used to work closely with charity organisations, and children on various projects before moving permanently to the UK in 1952. He spent a lot of his time in Australia over the years and I can remember that he was Patron of a project that my primary (grade) school took part in with Bassendean Primary School to build a mud hut in Bassendean itself. The hut is gone now, as are most of the memorials and honorary items dedicated to Rolf. I highly recommend that you look up "And the Band played Waltzing Matilda" sung by John Williamson. Makes me tear up EVERY time!!!

Actually used as an official song by the US 1st Marine Division. That maybe your fathers connection to it.

Waltzing Matilda is the song of the 1st Division US Marines. They play it all all ceremonies and parades. The connection with the song began when they were stationed in Australia in WW2. Whenever they go overseas they always name their Basecamp Matilda and have the Southern Cross on display. Maybe your Grandfather had some connection to this.

A lot of people think this should be the Australian national anthem. Either “Waltzing Matilda” or “We are one” by the Seekers. If you’re ever gonna do another music reaction definitely check out “We are one” by the seekers. It really captures the ideal that we as Australians attempt to live up to as a nation. It’s a beautiful song

U got to listen to "And the band played Waltzing Matilda", a war song that is guaranteed to make ya shed a tear!!!

This should really be our Anthem as we all love this and also know the words. 😜

If you haven't seen it already I suggest watching the movie The Man From Snowy River based on the poem written by the the same poet who wrote Waltzing Matilda Banjo Patterson Kirk Douglas plays 2 roles in that movie. I love our Aussie made movies but The Man From Snowy River made in 1982 is my favourite Aussie film and brings the poem to life especially at the jump

I once saw an American Pastor speak in my church he talked about when he was in the U.S Army he heard many stories about the Australian Army and said there are one of the most respected Armies in the world

Thanks mum...🥰🤠✅

Whilst Waltzing Matilda is definitely an iconic Australian song, and after seeing your video of I Still Call Australia Home (and your priceless reaction to it❤️), I’d have to agree with previous comments about The Seekers song, We Are Australian. It’s such a beautiful and telling song of who we are collectively, where we’ve come from, and where we’re going. Cheers Ian 👍🏼😎

Like you I miss my Dad, he was a WWII veteran. He loved this song, it's kind of an unofficial national anthem. He obviously survived WWII but sadly his younger brother, my uncle didn't. They sacrificed a lot so we can enjoy our freedoms we have now, something we should never forget.

Ian, just wondering with your Grandfathers fondness for the song and talking about the toughness of Australians if he served in the 1st Marine Division? The 1st after a brutal six month campaign in Guadalcanal came to Melbourne in January of 1943 for R&R and were warmly embraced by the population in a tumultuous reception to the extent that locals literally opened their houses to provide accommodation for any Marine who desired his own home with family life instead of being billeted in a barracks. After what the 1st Marine Division experienced in Melbourne they adopted as their colour patch/insignia from the Victorian State Flag the Southern Cross Constellation on the blue background for their diamond and added the Big Red 1with Guadalcanal written on the 1inside of the cross. On George Washington’s birthday in 1943, the Marines marched a parade through Melbourne. During this parade, the 1st Marine Division Band decided to play Waltzing Matilda as one of the songs which was loved by the locals and Marines so they then adopted and now play Waltzing Matilda everyday as their official Marching song.. There is one unmistakably true measure of what Melbourne meant to the 1st division. They shipped out between the August and October of 1943, and for a year after their departure the 1st Marine Division postmaster noted that more outgoing mail was sent to Melbourne than to the United States. Some relationships between Marines and their hosts would endure a lifetime.

G'day mate, I'm sure your pop would be very proud of you and he has every right to be. You're a good man, a great dad and I'm sure Daniela would say you're a great husband. Love from down under mate

The Intro 🥰 I'm sure you're dad is very proud!

What you might find interesting Ian is that Waltzing Matilda is the official song of the US 1st Marine Division. They adopted the song after WW2 when returning marines, who had been based in Australia during the war, honoured their fellow soldiers from Australia. It was done as a sign of respect for the friendship, bravery, extreme valour and humour shown by the Aussie soldiers.

👏🏼❤️ Waltzing Matilda embraces the Australian attitude that nobody is above another. The squatter might have caught the swagman but he wasn’t going to give up the jumbuck or his freedom. A bit of the Australian stubbornness there 😉

Couple of interesting facts. The original tune was in fact a a Scottish jig or dance brought to Australia by Scottish immigrants. The town of Winton, where the alleged incident occurred and where the song originated, actually has a Waltzing Matilda Museum and well worth a visit!

I think it would have been Interesting to have gone into the American navy’s history with the song. Where is is still used as the theme song for the 1st Marine division. Really interesting story with origins in WW2

Banjo Patterson wrote the poem, and song, on his travels along the Matilda Highway, the name of the track, at the time, from Bourke NSW to Karumba QLD. That is where the 'Matilda' reference comes from. Many men looking for work during the shearer's strike walked, or 'waltzed' the Matilda Highway to Karumba, where there were recently discovered goldfields in the ranges nearby

G'day Ian mate, your granddad would so proud of you knowing so much about Australia 👍🇦🇺🦘🦘🦘

How cool is it finding out your grandfather had a soft spot for Aussies too..

So your Grandpa is responsible for planting the seed for your interest in Australia and your affection for this wide brown land, Australia. Your Grandpa must have been a top bloke to know and love listening to Waltzing Matilda and no wonder a lot of Aussies seem to click with your videos. Cheers mate 👍

That was an upbeat lighthearted version of the truest bluest song ever written. 🙂 There are other versions. The more somber version, which is more suited to the Shearer's strike it was written about still gets my attention 🙂 The "Queensland version " is also well worth a listen.

I was 4 in 1963, we had left Aotearoa (NZ) on our way to Holland. We stopped in Sydney. As we left the dock, everyone on the ship and shore sang this song, while throwing toilet paper to our family and friends waving us off. It was amazing. CrankyGranny Western Australia

This is great, but I would love to see you react to the song "And the band played Waltzing Matilda" BY Eric Bogle - look for the live version done by Eric Bogle itself, it is very moving and good.

Ian, please don’t get pressured into reacting to music videos! There’s plenty of music reactors out there and I would hate for you to become a “music reactor” if music is not your thing. We love what you react to with your passion and excitement and humble appreciation. I have very little interest in cars aside from them getting me where I want to go, but I still find myself watching your car videos.

Great stuff. Thanks. As an Aussie I really appreciated this

I truly love that this bloke is sincerely intrigued about our beautiful county and culture

No doubt your grandad would be proud of you mate! With love from Australia 🇭🇲

Hi Ian, I have been following your chanel for a while. Liked and subscribed. Also commented on many of your posts, you family and extended family are precious. Love watching your reactions to the gifts and your appreciation for our culture, land and flora and fauna. Hi from Queensland Australia 🐨🌴🌺

"And the band played waltzing Matilda " by Eric Bogle is a must listen.Verry moving. Tells the story of an ANZAC. .

Great song thanks for sharing Ian. Hi from NSW

Thank you for sharing your story about your grandad i bet he is very proud that you learning so much about our great country

It's not really a great version of the song but I love how he explained the Aussie slang for it at the start 👍

Thank you for playing Rolf Harris’ version. Grew up watching Rolf on television. Loved Rolf in The Little Convict. Great man.

Anzac day today, Please google a video called ( and the band played Waltzing Matilda)

Thanks mate. I enjoy watching your videos!

Glad you're enjoying about learning about our country

My hat is off to you my friend, to cover the ANZAC's twice on video in one day is truly appreciated 🥰 much love to you and your family from Adelaide! ❤

Thanks for posting this video. Just like so many things that happened a long time ago, the events that lead up to the penning of this song, "might get lost in the mists of time". It depends on who you talk to about what happened that day. I wasn't there that day, so I have to take other folks word for what I'm told. Some folks say that the bloke in the song, referred to as the "Jolly swag man" was a shearer, actually a rather sour individual, that the other shearers jokingly referred to as "The Jolly Swag Man". Incidentally, my Late Father was a shearer, who shore sheep in many of the shearing shed all around that area. I'm told that back around the time that this incident took place, many shearers were "Swag men" They rolled their swag, and walked to where ever the next shearing shed was. I've a swag full of stories about our shearers, but mayhaps another time.

US marines 1st division's March is "Waltzing Matilda" and shoulder patch is the Southern Cross

A B " banjo " Paterson had such an authentic way of writing poems , especially the long story type . I think you'd and the family would really enjoy reading some . A perfect place to start I believe is " Mulga Bill's Bicycle " . I can still recite it after 45 years .

Ian I love that you have a connection with your grandfather through Australia, he would enjoy our mateship as we all do here in Oz. ☮️

Hey mate. Was looking forward to watching this. Was getting into it when realised it was Rolf Harris. See you on the next one.

There's this song "Waltzing Matilda". And then there's a different song "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda". Which is an anti-war song about the Gallipoli landings which is also worth a lesson.

Two points...there was a magnificent presentation of WM done by an Aussie bushie named Noel Watson at the 1988 Grand Final of the VFL (AFL). Really worth a listen / look on YT. For those wanting to get an idea of what it was like for the swaggies / itinerant workers of the era suggest looking at the paintings called "Down on his luck" and "On the Wallaby Track" both by Aussie painter Frederick McCubbin.

I was writing he’d be proud of you mate before you said you hoped he would be! I’m sure he is mate! Love your channel. Take care mate👊

What is not well known here in Australia is that the song Waltzing Matilda (our unoffical anthem) has been adopted by the US 1st Marine Division. It stems from days following the crucial battle of Gaudacanal in 1942 and when the marines were sent to Melbourne for rest and recuperation. The bonds between Australia and America still remain strong.

This song! Omg this song is so reminiscent for every Australian. We love it

What I love about Waltzing Matilda is that is was the sign off tune (whistled) on my local radio station when I was a kid.

this song is in the DNA of all true blue aussies

Sounded like a Fred Smith intro. Pity you don't do song reviews, LOL. Thanks for the vid and congrats on 100k in case I blink and miss it.

Movies to look up - Sunday too Far Away, Storm Boy, The Sundowners! Classic outback life!! 👍

I just love how you love Australia!!...you should check out our ANZAC tradition of the game "Two-up".

I agree with others who have suggested a iconic song about the landings at Gallipoli and the ANZACS "And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" is one ty for doing this for our day mate. Keep Safe Keep Strong Mate💖🦘🦘🦘🦘

You should listen to the song by Redgum, I Was Only 19. Very moving and very apt as today is Anzac Day.

Remembering also these lyrics were written c. 1898 and some terms are no longer used. A jumbuck is a male sheep, but it's a word I've never heard used. 🤗

Ian, you should watch the Slim Dusty version of Waltzing Matilda when he sang it live at the Sydney Olympics. With all the crowd singing it was incredible!!

Good on you Ian. You do us proud over here. Try and get to see 'Sunday Too Far Away' for an iconic Australian Shearers story. Sheep made Australia.

G'day, The song is said to be written near Winton in North West QLD. Coincidently not so far from "Walkabout Creek pub" from Crocodile Dundee fame, The pub has been relocated to the main road to get those travelling past to stop and visit, (Makinlay)

i thought rolf harris had been banned everywhere

Ooh ooh another one to have a gander at I Was Only 19 by Redgum. Tear jerker for sure.

I was going to mention a song you definitely needed to hear but noticed that Dr-KAP already mentioned it. It's a must

much love from Bigga

We love ya too mate ❤ sorry to hear of your grandfather no doubt he would be proud of you now 👍

Your grandfather would be proud! Love your videos! You should listen to I Am Australian by The Seekers. Great song.

You Definitely need to listen to the song “and the band played Waltzing Matilda” especially on Anzac Day

The billabong referred to in Waltzing Matilda is the Combo waterhole near Kynuna in Queensland.

words by famous bush poet A.B (Banjo) Patterson, who also 'The Man from Snowy River' made iinto a movie in the eighties. there is history behind the lyrics of Waltzing Matilda, i knew it extensively once, now all i remember is was invovling a shearers' strike in queensland, the burning down of a squatters shearing sheds ( i think)

Hey Iain, former military members still enjoy marching to this song. You releasing this on ANZAC Day is good timing. Thank you for your interest in our culture.

Thank you brother for you kind words

Also there are schools in France where every morning they sing waltzing Matilda to honour the Aussies that saved em during the first war

Thank you because this is the first time in my life I heard all words without background noise. (73)👍👍👍👍👍

Interesting story Ian, very interesting how you both had a affinity with Oz. I thought it was going to be The Band Played Waltzing Matilda by Eric Bogle though. 🤗💖

I recall seeing a Black & white movie about Australia WW2. They were singing the song so that's how I got the idea the thing was a machine - jeep.

The 1st Marine Division was formed on February 1, 1941. They fought in the Guadalcanal Campaign in 1942 and were taken in by Australians when they went there to get new Marines from the states, rest, recover, and resupply. "Waltzing Matilda" became their official March.

Hi from new Zealand Its anzac day so I'm going to suggest listening to the pogues "the band played waltzing Matilda"

you're a bloody legend mate

My parents both Germans met, married and lived in Australia (1965-70). They sang that song with us as kids. They told us that this song is the unofficial national anthem of Australia. I also had a jumper with koalas dancing and parts of the lyrics printed onto it.

a billabong is a bend in a river, that has been cut off from the river when the river shortens the bend/ changes course, leaving behind a banana shaped lake.

Waltzing Matilda is the official marching song of the 1st Marine Division, US Marine Corps. It is played on the dock every time a ship carrying Marines leaves or returns to the United States. This came a bout because of how well the 1st Marines were treated by the people of Australia after suffering great losses in the Battle of GuadaCanal.

Waltzing Matilda, somebody killed 'er, laying in the grass with a trumpet up her...

Ian, did your grandfather happen to serve in the 1st Marine division during WW2? That’s because the division adopted “Walzing Matilda” as the regimental march as a result of recuperating in Australia. Grüße aus Australien

Slim Dusty with the camp-fire version has to be the best one , that bloke was one fair dinkum Aussie . R.I.P SLIM . By the way , you have that clip in the corner of your screen , looking forward to seeing that one !

Squatter, in the 19th Century, is a reference to wealthy landowners. So-named because they would stake out a claim on Crown land and sort out the paperwork / legal rights to use or own the land later. It also spawned the concept of the "squattocracy" to refer to this 'landed gentry' class.

You should do a reaction videos to the collingwood vs Essendon Anzac Day game, the crowd was massive and the game was awesome

It the Anzac spirit you really need to do a reaction on the last post / the history of the courage of the light horsemen / Simpson and his donkey and a music reaction to "I was only 19 by Redgum"

Thank you for liking our folk song.

The song “ And the band played Waltzing Matilda” great song about Aussie soldiers

G'day Ian great to see you react to our iconic song. Shame that the dude performing this is doing time in the UK at Her Majesties lesure for deviancy atm. Note that there are 2 distinct versions of this song, both similiar but quite different. Also note the swaggie at 3.00 min with the rams head walking stick is carrying his swag in the NZ style not the Aussie style

Ian have a listen to a band called 'scared wired little guys' songs - Cleanin' Out My Tuckerbag, - Come To Australia and I've Been Everywhere.

G'day Ian, My Husband, John, says there are a number of reasons as to why the song refers to Waltzing Matilda. John, who is in his late 70s, one of his memories from living in the country as a boy was having swagmen call in to the homesteads looking for a hand out of tea, sugar and flour and perhaps a feed. The women on these homesteads would try and get them to do a few jobs such as cut some wood or weed the vegie patch in return for supplies. The swaggies, as we refer to them, would very often come around just on sunset hoping it was too late to do chores. When the swaggie was approaching out of the setting sun with his swag bobbing around on his back it had the appearance from a distance of a couple dancing, or waltzing.

It's sung at a lot of major events it's considered like the equivalent of the National Anthem. It's taught basically at every school and the poet Banjo Patterson who is featured on our $10 note.