Waltzing Matilda
Words and music: m. cowan
Roy sang this song whilst on an australian tour
It was taped by a fan and circulated.....
Once a jolly swagman, campd by a billabong,
Under the shade of a coolibah tree,
And he sang as he watchd and waited till his billy boiled,
Youll come a waltzing matilda with me.
Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda,
Youll come a waltzing matilda with me,
And he sang as he sat and waited till his billy boiled,
Youll come a waltzing matilda with me.
Down came a jumbuck to drink at that billabong,
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee,
And he sang as he shaoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag,
Youll come a waltzing matilda with me.
Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda,
Youll come a waltzing matilda with me,
And he sang as he shaoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag,
Youll come a waltzing matilda with me.
Up rode the squatter mounted on his thoroughbred,
Down come the troopers, one, two, three,
Whose that jolly jumbuck youve got in your tucker bag?
Youll come a waltzing matilda with me.
Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda,
Youll come a waltzing matilda with me,
Whose that jolly jumbuck youve got in your tucker bag?
Youll come a waltzing matilda with me.
Up jumped the swagman, sprang into the billabong,
Drowning himself by the coolibah tree,
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong,
Youll come a waltzing matilda with me.
Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda,
Youll come a waltzing matilda with me,
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong,
Youll come a waltzing matilda with me.
song performed by by Roy Orbison
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Related quotes
Waltzing Matilda
OH! there once was a swagman camped in the Billabong,
Under the shade of a Coolabah tree;
And he sang as he looked at his old billy boiling,
“Who’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me.”
Who’ll come a-waltzing Matilda, my darling,
Who’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?
Waltzing Matilda and leading a water-bag—
Who’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?
Down came a jumbuck to drink at the water-hole,
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him in glee;
And he sang as he put him away in his tucker-bag,
“You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me!”
Down came the Squatter a-riding his thorough-bred;
Down came Policemen—one, two, and three.
”Whose is the jumbuck you’ve got in the tucker-bag?
You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me.”
But the swagman, he up and he jumped in the water-hole,
Drowning himself by the Coolabah tree;
And his ghost may be heard as it sings in the Billabong,
“Who’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?”
Andrew Barton ‘Banjo’ Paterson
poem by Andrew Barton Paterson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Tom Traubert's Blues
(Tom Waits)
Wasted and wounded
And it ain't what the moon did
I got what I paid for now
See you tomorrow
Hey Frank can I borrow
A couple of bucks from you
To go waltzing Matilda waltzing Matilda
You'll go waltzing Matilda with me
I'm an innocent victim
of a blinded alley
And I'm tired of all these soldiers here
No-one speaks English
And everything's broken
And my strength is soaking away
To go waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda
You'll go a waltzing Malitda with me
Now the dogs they are barking
and the taxi cab's parking
A lot they can do for me
I begged you to stab me
You tore my shirt open
And I'm down on my knees tonight
Old bushmills I staggered
You buried the dagger
Your silhouette window light
To go waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda
You'll go a waltzing Matilda with me
Now I've lost my St. Christopher
Now that I kissed her
And the one-arm bandit knows
And the maverick Chinaman
with the cold-blooded sigh
And the girls down by the striptease shows go
Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda
You'll go a waltzing Matilda with me
No I don't want your sympathy
Fugitives say
that the streets aren't for dreaming now
Manslaughter dragnet
and the ghost that sells memories
Want a piece of the action anyhow
Go waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda
You'll go waltzing Matilda with me
And you can ask any sailor
And the keys from the jailor
And the old men in wheelchairs know
That Matilda's the defendant
She killed about a hundred
And she follows wherever you may go
Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda
You'll go waltzing Matilda with me
And it's a battered old suitcase
in a hotel someplace
And a wound that would never heal
No prima donnas the perfume is on
and old shirt that is stained with blood and whiskey
And goodnight to the street-sweepers,
The night watchmen flame-keepers
And goodnight Matilda too
Goodnight Matilda too.
song performed by by Rod Stewart
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
When I was a young man I carried my pack
And I lived the free life of a rover
From the Murrays green basin to the dusty outback
I waltzed my Matilda all over
Then in nineteen fifteen my country said Son
It's time to stop rambling 'cause there's work to be
done
So they gave me a tin hat and they gave me a gun
And they sent me away to the war
And the band played Waltzing Matilda
As we sailed away from the quay
And amidst all the tears and the shouts and the
cheers
We sailed off to Gallipoli
How well I remember that terrible day
And how in that hell that they called Suvla Bay
We were butchered like lambs at the slaughter
Johnny Turk he was ready, he primed himself well
He
shells
And in five minutes flat he'd blown us all to hell
Nearly blew us right back to Australia
But the band played Waltzing Matilda
As we stopped to bury our slain
And we buried ours and the Turks buried theirs
Then
Now those
In
And for
Then a big Turkish shell knocked me arse over tit
And when I woke up in my hospital bed
And saw what it had done,
dead
Never knew there were worse things than dying
For to hump tent and pegs, a man needs two legs
No more waltzing Matilda for me
So they collected the cripples, the wounded
maimed
And they shipped us back home to Australia
Those proud wounded heroes of Suvla
And as our ship pulled into Circular Quay
I looked at the place where
And thank Christ there was nobody waiting for me
To grieve and to mourn and to pity
And the band played Waltzing Matilda
As they carried us down the gangway
But nobody cheered, they just stood and stared
And now every April I sit on my porch
And I watch the parade pass before me
my old comrades, how proudly they march
Reliving
The forgotten heroes
And the young people ask
marching for?"
And I ask myself the same question
And the band plays Waltzing Matilda
And the old men
But year after year their numbers get fewer
Some day no one will march there at all
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
Who'll
song performed by by Pogues
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
When I was a young man I carried my pack
And I lived the free life of a rover
From the murrays green basin to the dusty outback
I waltzed my matilda all over
Then in nineteen fifteen my country said son
Its time to stop rambling cause theres work to be
Done
So they gave me a tin hat and they gave me a gun
And they sent me away to the war
And the band played waltzing matilda
As we sailed away from the quay
And amidst all the tears and the shouts and the
Cheers
We sailed off to gallipoli
How well I remember that terrible day
And how in that hell that they called suvla bay
We were butchered like lambs at the slaughter
Johnny turk he was ready, he primed himself well
He
Shells
And in five minutes flat hed blown us all to hell
Nearly blew us right back to australia
But the band played waltzing matilda
As we stopped to bury our slain
And we buried ours and the turks buried theirs
Then
Now those
In
And for
Then a big turkish shell knocked me arse over tit
And when I woke up in my hospital bed
And saw what it had done,
Dead
Never knew there were worse things than dying
For to hump tent and pegs, a man needs two legs
No more waltzing matilda for me
So they collected the cripples, the wounded
Maimed
And they shipped us back home to australia
Those proud wounded heroes of suvla
And as our ship pulled into circular quay
I looked at the place where
And thank christ there was nobody waiting for me
To grieve and to mourn and to pity
And the band played waltzing matilda
As they carried us down the gangway
But nobody cheered, they just stood and stared
And now every april I sit on my porch
And I watch the parade pass before me
my old comrades, how proudly they march
Reliving
The forgotten heroes
And the young people ask
Marching for?
And I ask myself the same question
And the band plays waltzing matilda
And the old men
But year after year their numbers get fewer
Some day no one will march there at all
Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda
Wholl
song performed by by Pogues
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Waltzing Matilda
(sung by tico torres)
Wasted and wounded, it aint what the mood did,
Ive got what I prayed for now
Ill see you tomorrow, hey frank, can I borrow a couple of bucks from you
To go waltzing mathilda, waltzing mathilda,
Youll go waltzing mathilda with me
Im an innocent victim of a blinded alley
And Im tired of all these soldiers here
No one speaks english, and everythings broken, and my stacys are
Soaking wet to go waltzing mathilda, waltzing mathilda,
Youll go waltzing mathilda with me
Now I lost my saint christopher now that Ive kissed her
And the one-armed bandit knows
That the maverick chinaman with his cold-blooded style
And the girls stand by the strip-tease shows, go
Waltzing mathilda, waltzing mathilda,
Youll go waltzing mathilda with me
Now I dont want your sympathy, the fugitive says
That the streets aint for dreaming now
Manslaughter dragnets and the ghosts that sell memories,
Want a piece of the action anyhow
Go waltzing mathilda, waltzing mathilda,
Youll go waltzing mathilda with me
Its a battered old suitcase in a hotel someplace,
And a wound that will never heal
No prima donnas, the perfume is on
Its an old shirt thats stained with blood and whiskey
And goodnight to the street sweepers, the night watchmen, the flame
Keepers
Goodnight mathilda, too
And goodnight mathilda, too
song performed by by Bon Jovi
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Bessie's Song To Her Doll
Matilda Jane, you never look
At any toy or picture-book.
I show you pretty things in vain
You must be blind, Matilda Jane!
I ask you riddles, tell you tales,
But all our conversation fails.
You never answer me again
I fear you're dumb, Matilda Jane!
Matilda darling, when I call,
You never seem to hear at all.
I shout with all my might and main
But you're so deaf, Matilda Jane!
Matilda Jane, you needn't mind,
For, though you're deaf and dumb and blind,
There's some one loves you, it is plain
And that is me, Matilda Jane!
poem by Lewis Carroll
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What Matilda Said
Matilda closed the door. Matilda
Saw Millie by the window. Her maid’s
Uniform looked tight at the rear. She
Wanted to place her arms around her
Waist, kiss her neck. Millie turned and
Said, He’s out there with Mrs Dimmable.
Matilda walked to the window and stared.
She sensed Millie beside her; heard her
Breathing, the brush of her sleeve against
Her arm. Looks happy enough, Matilda said
Of Mrs. Dimmable. You didn’t sleep too well
Last night, Millie said, turning, going to the
Bed. She pulled back the covers, smoothed
Out the sheet. Matilda went around the other
Side of the bed and looked at Millie. You were
Tossing and turning, Millie said looking up.
Matilda helped make the bed and said, Sorry
About that. Millie stared at Matilda and said
You murmured words. Did I? Matilda replied.
Yes, Millie said, looking at her hands. What did
I say? Matilda asked. You muttered my name.
Millie stood back from the bed, gazed at Matilda.
You said things. What things? Said you loved me.
Millie blushed at the words. Matilda patted the
Pillow but said nothing. She brushed her hands
Over the covers, pushed away creases. She paused.
Looked at the window. Smelt the flowers in a vase.
Do you? Millie asked. Love me? Matilda stared
Out at Mrs Dimmable and the new gardener.
Her lips wanted to move but nothing came.
Her eyes watered. The world was awash. Millie
Walked to the window, put her arms around Matilda’s
Waist, her fingers formed a knot on Matilda’s stomach.
Matilda placed her hands over Millie’s.
They do look in love and contented don’t they?
Millie said over Matilda’s shoulder. Matilda’s sensed
The warm breath. Yes, she said, they do. Do you?
Millie’s breath uttered softly into her ear, yes.
poem by Terry Collett
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Songs Of Our Heart
From a migrant
schoolboy
singing
Click Go The Shears
and
Bound For South Australia
to an old man
waltzing Matilda
as Advance Australia Fair
opens.
poem by Vince Gullaci
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Ill Bet You A Kangaroo
(larry murray)
Well Ill bet you a kangaroo
We could all dance to a didjeridoo
Everybodys looking for something new
Bet you something old could get to you
Come on boys, give it a chance
Adelaide ladies just love to dance
Come on boys, give it a chance
All gods children just love to dance
Well Ill bet you a kangaroo
The worlds been waiting for a didjeridoo
Theres a new day coming and it wont be long
When we can all lean on a one-note song
Come on boys, give it a chance
London ladies just love to dance
Come on boys, give it a chance
All gods children just love to dance
Listen boys, I hear thunder
Rolling up from a way down under
Theres a flash on the horizon
Like a midnight sun arising
Matilda is awaking
The world is awaiting for a song
Youve been waltzing way too long
Matilda I think its time
You did a step all of your own
Youve been waltzing away too long
Matilda is awaiting
The world is awaiting for a song
Come on boys, give it a chance
Nashville ladies just love to dance
Come on boys, give it a chance,
All gods children just love to dance
Ill bet you a kangaroo
The worlds been waiting for a didjeridoo
Theres a new day coming and it wont be long
When we can all lean on a one-note song
Come on boys, give it a chance
Nashville ladies just love to dance
Come on boys, give it a chance
All gods children just love to dance
song performed by by Olivia Newton-John
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Sailor Boy to His Lass
I go away this blessed day,
To sail across the sea, MATILDA!
My vessel starts for various parts
At twenty after three, MATILDA.
I hardly know where we may go,
Or if it's near or far, MATILDA,
For CAPTAIN HYDE does not confide
In any 'fore-mast tar, MATILDA!
Beneath my ban that mystic man
Shall suffer, COUTE QUI COUTE, MATILDA!
What right has he to keep from me
The Admiralty route, MATILDA?
Because, forsooth! I am a youth
Of common sailors' lot, MATILDA!
Am I a man on human plan
Designed, or am I not, MATILDA?
But there, my lass, we'll let that pass!
With anxious love I burn, MATILDA.
I want to know if we shall go
To church when I return, MATILDA?
Your eyes are red, you bow your head;
It's pretty clear you thirst, MATILDA,
To name the day - What's that you say?
- "You'll see me further first," MATILDA?
I can't mistake the signs you make,
Although you barely speak, MATILDA;
Though pure and young, you thrust your tongue
Right in your pretty cheek, MATILDA!
My dear, I fear I hear you sneer -
I do - I'm sure I do, MATILDA!
With simple grace you make a face,
Ejaculating, "Ugh!" MATILDA.
Oh, pause to think before you drink
The dregs of Lethe's cup, MATILDA!
Remember, do, what I've gone through,
Before you give me up, MATILDA!
Recall again the mental pain
Of what I've had to do, MATILDA!
And be assured that I've endured
It, all along of you, MATILDA!
Do you forget, my blithesome pet,
How once with jealous rage, MATILDA,
I watched you walk and gaily talk
With some one thrice your age, MATILDA?
You squatted free upon his knee,
A sight that made me sad, MATILDA!
You pinched his cheek with friendly tweak,
Which almost drove me mad, MATILDA!
I knew him not, but hoped to spot
Some man you thought to wed, MATILDA!
I took a gun, my darling one,
And shot him through the head, MATILDA!
I'm made of stuff that's rough and gruff
Enough, I own; but, ah, MATILDA!
It DID annoy your sailor boy
To find it was your pa, MATILDA!
I've passed a life of toil and strife,
And disappointments deep, MATILDA;
I've lain awake with dental ache
Until I fell asleep, MATILDA!
At times again I've missed a train,
Or p'rhaps run short of tin, MATILDA,
And worn a boot on corns that shoot,
Or, shaving, cut my chin, MATILDA.
But, oh! no trains - no dental pains -
Believe me when I say, MATILDA,
No corns that shoot - no pinching boot
Upon a summer day, MATILDA -
It's my belief, could cause such grief
As that I've suffered for, MATILDA,
My having shot in vital spot
Your old progenitor, MATILDA.
Bethink you how I've kept the vow
I made one winter day, MATILDA -
That, come what could, I never would
Remain too long away, MATILDA.
And, oh! the crimes with which, at times,
I've charged my gentle mind, MATILDA,
To keep the vow I made - and now
You treat me so unkind, MATILDA!
For when at sea, off Caribbee,
I felt my passion burn, MATILDA,
By passion egged, I went and begged
The captain to return, MATILDA.
And when, my pet, I couldn't get
That captain to agree, MATILDA,
Right through a sort of open port
I pitched him in the sea, MATILDA!
Remember, too, how all the crew
With indignation blind, MATILDA,
Distinctly swore they ne'er before
Had thought me so unkind, MATILDA.
And how they'd shun me one by one -
An unforgiving group, MATILDA -
I stopped their howls and sulky scowls
By pizening their soup, MATILDA!
So pause to think, before you drink
The dregs of Lethe's cup, MATILDA;
Remember, do, what I've gone through,
Before you give me up, MATILDA.
Recall again the mental pain
Of what I've had to do, MATILDA,
And be assured that I've endured
It, all along of you, MATILDA!
poem by William Schwenck Gilbert
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A sweet memory
Her name is Matilda and she got a very huge bust.
She was nick named by Dairy Queen in the class.
Her family migrated to Great Britain for good
And before she leaves gave her autograph to sign among friends.
Still I remember a friend of mine wrote;
'Matilda this is certain and be careful if you get an opportunity to embrace the Queen, definitely the Buckingham Palace would be collapsed.'
He too lives in U.K and sent me a letter recently that he met Matilda by chance.
poem by Nimal Dunuhinga
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Matilda Who told Lies, and was Burned to Death
Matilda told such Dreadful Lies,
It made one Gasp and Stretch one's Eyes;
Her Aunt, who, from her Earliest Youth,
Had kept a Strict Regard for Truth,
Attempted to Believe Matilda:
The effort very nearly killed her,
And would have done so, had not She
Discovered this Infirmity.
For once, towards the Close of Day,
Matilda, growing tired of play,
And finding she was left alone,
Went tiptoe to the Telephone
And summoned the Immediate Aid
Of London's Noble Fire-Brigade.
Within an hour the Gallant Band
Were pouring in on every hand,
From Putney, Hackney Downs, and Bow.
With Courage high and Hearts a-glow,
They galloped, roaring through the Town,
'Matilda's House is Burning Down!'
Inspired by British Cheers and Loud
Proceeding from the Frenzied Crowd,
They ran their ladders through a score
Of windows on the Ball Room Floor;
And took Peculiar Pains to Souse
The Pictures up and down the House,
Until Matilda's Aunt succeeded
In showing them they were not needed;
And even then she had to pay
To get the Men to go away,
It happened that a few Weeks later
Her Aunt was off to the Theatre
To see that Interesting Play
The Second Mrs. Tanqueray.
She had refused to take her Niece
To hear this Entertaining Piece:
A Deprivation Just and Wise
To Punish her for Telling Lies.
That Night a Fire did break out--
You should have heard Matilda Shout!
You should have heard her Scream and Bawl,
And throw the window up and call
To People passing in the Street--
(The rapidly increasing Heat
Encouraging her to obtain
Their confidnce) -- but all in vain!
For every time she shouted 'Fire!'
They only answered 'Little Liar!'
And therefore when her Aunt returned,
Matilda, and the House, were Burned.
poem by Hilaire Belloc
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Street Hassle
Waltzing matilda, looked at her wallet
The sexy one smiled in dismay
She pulled out four twenties
cause she liked round figures
Everybody stayed for a day
I think Im on fire and you know I admire you
Buy it, why dont we slip away
Although Im sure youre certain
Its a rarity me flirting
Sha la la la lay, come on
Sha la la la la, sha la la la la, sha la la la la
Come on and slip away, sha la la
Cascading lowly he entered her slowly
And showed her where he coming from
And sha la la la la. made love to her gently
Just like she had never come
And sha la la la la. sha la la la
When the sun rose and she made to leave
And sha la la la la. sha la la la you know
Neither one regretted a thing
Say sha la la la la, sha la la la la, sha la la la la
Come on and slip away
Say sha la la la la, sha la la la la, sha la la la la
We need your loving so badly
We need your loving so
Slip away, come on, slip away
Sha la la la la, sha la la la la
Love has gone away
She took the ring from my finger
And theres nothing left to say
We need your loving so badly
We need your loving so
Come on, slip away
Words and music : lou reed (c) 1978 metal machine music ltd/rca music ltd reproduced without permission
song performed by by Simple Minds
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Song
Whene'er with haggard eyes I view
This dungeon that I'm rotting in,
I think of those companions true
Who studied with me at the U—
—niversity of Gottingen —
—niversity of Gottingen.
Sweet kerchief, checked with heavenly blue,
Which once my love sat knotting in! —
Alas! Matilda then was true!
At least I thought so at the U
—niversity of Gottingen —
—niversity of Gottingen.
Barbs! barbs! alas! how swift you flew
Her neat post-wagon trotting in!
Ye bore Matilda from my view;
Eorloni I languished at the U—
—niversity of Gottiiigen—
—niversity of Gottingen.
This faded form! this pallid hue!
This blood my veins is clotting in,
My years are many, —they were few
When first I entered at the U
—niversity of Gottingen —
—niversity of Gottingen.
There first for thee my passion grew,
Sweet! sweet Matilda Pottingen!
Thou wast the daughter of my tu—
—tor, law professor at the U
—niversity of Gottingen —
—niversity of Gottingen.
Sun, moon, and thou vain world, adieu.
That kings and priests are plotting in:
Here doomed to starve on water gru—
—el, never shall I see the U—
—niversity of Gottingen —
—niversity of Gottingen.
poem by George Canning
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Waltz Away Dreaming
Duet with toby bourke
(Im here if you see me)
Shes got a song in her head and shell sing to me
Shes got a laugh that reminds me of why shes in love with me
Shed never let show she was lonely in case it had frightened me
She was carpet and stone, independent, alone
But this love always shone around me every time, oh
Waltz away dreaming till your day begins again
Free from the seasons and this state Im in
And oh, I cant hold it all under one love
It was so long ago when we danced in the streets
Now you fly like an eagle above while I waltz away anyway
And Im waltzing my days away
Searching for this woman I love
(Im here if you see me)
She had a history, joy and pain, and she chose to leave
She had a thousand and one photographs that you would not believe
Shell come to you in disguise, shes there in you childrens eyes
Still our mother, shes still your wife
So let her
Waltz away dreaming till your day begins again, oh yeah
Free from the reasons and this state Im in
And oh,(trust me) I cant hold it all
(she aint going anywhere) under one love
(trust me, she told me, when youre ready shell be there)
It was so long ago (no, dont let go of her)
When we kissed in the streets
Now you fly like an eagle above while I waltz away anyway
Then Im waltzing my days away
Searching for this woman I love
(and the moment you see me, I will live in your life)
(we will walk through my garden, I will see through you eyes)
Waltzing my days away (and the moment)
I was in despair (you see me) till she found me there (I will live)
Every grown man cries (in your life) with his mothers eyes
(we will walk) when youre ready too (through my garden)
Shell come back to you (I will see through your eyes)
Waltzing my days away (and the moment) shes waiting
(you see me, I will live in your life)
Waltzing my days (we will walk) shes waiting
(through my garden, I will) father (see through your eyes)
Shes waiting (and the moment you see me)
(george michael/toby bourke)
song performed by by George Michael
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Sing Austrailia
I come to Australia as many people do, to see the old koala, hitch a ride on a kangaroo.
To hear somebody call me "Mate" and call somebody "Blue,"
to hear an Aborigine play a didgeridoo.
Some of you came as prisoners two centuries ago,
some of you come as kings and queens your blessing to bestow.
Some of you stand all swelled with pride, some with shattered wings,
but all of us come with open hearts to hear Australia sing.
In the desert, in the city, in the mountains and in the sea.
In the stories and in the people I can hear Australia sing.
Waltzing Matilda, the men of Gallipoli, Clancy of the Overflow and Crocodile Dundee.
The myth of all creation, the teaching of Baiame, the legends of the Dreamtime for all eternity.
And in this celebration, a brief two hundred years,
the cost to build a nation in blood and sweat and tears.
And if we stand divided, divided we shall fall. But if we stand together, we shall conquer all.
In the desert, in the city, in the mountains and in the sea.
In the stories and in the people I can hear Australia sing..
Sing Australia, sing Australia, sing Australia, sing Australia.
In the sails on Sydney Harbour I can hear Australia sing.
song performed by by John Denver
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I am a trial lawyer. ... Matilda says that at dinner on a good day I sound like an affidavit.
quote by Mario Cuomo
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I am a trial lawyer. Matilda says that at dinner on a good day I sound like an affidavit.
quote by Mario Cuomo
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Careless Mathilda
'AGAIN, Matilda, is your work undone!
Your scissors, where are they? your thimble, gone?
Your needles, pins, and thread and tapes all lost;
Your housewife here, and there your workbag toss'd.
'Fie, fie, my child! indeed this will not do,
Your hair uncomb'd, your frock in tatters, too;
I'm now resolved no more delays to grant,
To learn of her, I'll send you to your aunt. '
In vain Matilda wept, entreated, pray'd,
In vain a promise of amendment made.
Arrived at Austere Hall, Matilda sigh'd,
By Lady Rigid when severely eyed:
'You read and write, and work well, as I'm told,
Are gentle, kind, good-natured, and not bold;
But very careless, negligent, and wild–
You'll leave me, as I hope, a different child. '
The little girl next morn a favour asks;
'I wish to take a walk.'–'Go, learn your tasks,'
Replies her aunt, 'nor fruitlessly repine:
Your room you'll leave not till you're call'd to dine. '
As there Matilda sat, o'erwhelm'd with shame,
A dame appear'd, Disorder was her name:
Her hair and dress neglected–soil'd her face,
Her mien unseemly, and devoid of grace.
'Here, child, ' said she, 'my mistress sends you this,
A bag of silks–a flower, not work'd amiss–
A polyanthus bright, and wondrous gay,
You'll copy it by noon, she bade me say. '
Disorder grinn'd, and shuffling walk'd away.
Entangled were the silks of every hue,
Confused and mix'd were shades of pink, green, blue;
She took a thread, compared it with the flower:
'To finish this is not within my power.
Well-sorted silks had Lady Rigid sent,
I might have work'd, if such was her intent. '
She sigh'd, and melted into sobs and tears:
She hears a step, and at the door appears
A pretty maiden, clean, well-dress'd, and neat,
Her voice was soft, her looks sedate, yet sweet.
'My name is Order: do not cry, my love;
Attend to me, and thus you may improve. '
She took the silks, and drew out shade by shade,
In separate skeins, and each with care she laid;
Then smiling kindly, left the little maid.
Matilda now resumes her sweet employ,
And sees the flower complete–how great her joy!
She leaves the room–'I've done my task,' she cries;
The lady look'd, and scarce believed her eyes;
Yet soon her harshness changed to glad surprise:
'Why, this is well, a very pretty flower,
Work'd so exact, and done within the hour!
And now amuse yourself, and walk, or play.'
Thus pass'd Matilda this much dreaded day.
At all her tasks, Disorder would attend;
At all her tasks, still Order stood her friend.
With tears and sighs her studies oft began,
These into smiles were changed by Order's plan.
No longer Lady Rigid seem'd severe:
The negligent alone her eye need fear.
And now the day, the wish'd-for day, is come,
When young Matilda may revisit home.
'You quit me, child, but oft to mind recall
The time you spent with me at Austere Hall.
And now, my dear, I'll give you one of these
To be your maid–take with you which you please.
What! from Disorder do you frighten'd start? '
Matilda clasp'd sweet Order to her heart,
And said, 'From thee, best friend, I'll never part. '
poem by Ann Taylor
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Fairy
Said Ann to Matilda, 'I wish that we knew
If what we've been reading of fairies be true.
Do you think that the poet himself had a sight of
The fairies he here does so prettily write of?
O what a sweet sight if he really had seen
The graceful Titania, the Fairy-land Queen!
If I had such dreams, I would sleep a whole year;
I would not wish to wake while a fairy was near.-
Now I'll fancy that I in my sleep have been seeing
A fine little delicate lady-like being,
Whose steps and whose motions so light were and airy,
I knew at one glance that she must be a fairy.
Her eyes they were blue, and her fine curling hair
Of the lightest of browns, her complexion more fair
Than I e'er saw a woman's; and then for her height,
I verily think that she measured not quite
Two feet, yet so justly proportioned withal,
I was almost persuaded to think she was tall.
Her voice was the little thin note of a sprite-
There-d'ye think I have made out a fairy aright?
You'll confess, I believe, I've not done it amiss.'
'Pardon me,' said Matilda, 'I find in all this
Fine description, you've only your young sister Mary
Been taking a copy of here for a fairy.'
poem by Charles Lamb
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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