AND THE BAND PLAYED WALTZING MATILDA
(Eric Bogle)
When I was a young man I carried a pack and lived the free life of a rover
From the Murray's green basin to the dusty outback, I waltzed my Matilda all over
Then in nineteen fifteen my country said son:
"It's time you stopped rambling, there's work to be done"
So they gave me a tin hat and they gave me a gun, and sent me away to a war
And the band played 'Waltzing Matilda' as the ship pulled away from the quay
And 'midst all the tears, flag waving and cheers, we sailed off to Gallipoli
How well I remember that terrible day, our blood stained the sand and the water
And how in that hell that they called Suvla Bay
We were butchered like lambs at the slaughter;
Johnny Turk he was waiting, he'd primed himself well,
He rained us with bullets & showered us with shells
And in five minutes flat he'd blown us all to hell, nearly blew us right back to Australia
And the band played 'Waltzing Matilda' as we stopped to bury our slain
We buried ours, and the Turks buried theirs, then it started all over again
Those that were living we tried to survive in that mad world of blood, death and fire
And for ten weary weeks I kept my self myself alive, while around the corpses piled higher
Then a big Turkish shell, knocked arse over head, and when I awoke in my hospital bed
I saw what was done, I wished I was dead, I never knew there were worse things than dying
For I'll go no more waltzing Matilda all around the green bush far and free
For to hump tent and peg, sure, a man needs two legs, no more waltzing Matilda for me
They collected the wounded, the crippled, the maimed, and shipped us back home to Australia
The arm less, the leg less, the blind, the insane, those proud wounded heroes of Suvla
And when our ship pulled into Circular Quay, I looked at the place where my legs used to be
I thanked Christ, there was no one there waiting for me, to grieve, to mourn and to pity
And the band played 'Waltzing Matilda' as they carried us down the gangway
But nobody cheered, they just stood there and stared, then they all turned their faces away
Now every April I sit on my porch and watch the parade pass before me
I see my old comrades, how proudly they march, reliving their dreams of past glories
I see the old men, tired, stiff and sore, the forgotten heroes of a forgotten war
And the young people ask, 'What are they marching for' and I ask myself the same question
And the band played 'Waltzing Matilda' and the old men still answer the call
But as year follows year, more old men disappear, someday no one will march there at all
CODA:
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda, who'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me
And their ghosts may be heard as they march by the billabong
Who'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me?
ANNE DEVLIN
(Pete St. John)
In Dublin town they sing of a brave Wicklow woman
Of her troubles and her times in cruel Kilmainham Jail
All the way from Butterfield Lane Anne Devlin was her name
A friend to Robert Emmett she served his cause in vain
Chorus:
Lo lie lo Liffey keep on flowin'
And it's lo lie lo Anne your legend's growin'
Not torture or the bribe could sway Anne Devlin's purpose
Three years of lonely hell in solitary shame
How proud Emmett met his fate on the scaffold of the tyrant
She saw her family passin' like poor lilies in the storm
Chorus
In 1851 Anne Devlin met her maker
But her story's with us still as a lesson for the wise
Not poverty or fear can kill the heart of freedom
Anne Devlin was a servant to the spirit of our land
Chorus
Chorus
ANNIE McKELVIE
(Iain Ingram)
Do you fancy a night at the dancing wi' me
The band in the town hall's the finest you'll see
If there's no' another place you'd rather be
Then come to the dance with me, Annie
Dumbarton's the place I met Annie McKelvie
She was walking alone by the shore
And we talked for a while till as evening was falling
I walked her back home to her door
She said, Give me a while to think o'er your proposal
My mother would have to consent
So we parted that night with a kiss at her doorstep
Back home through Bowling I went
At last she agreed she would come to the dancing
And travel to Clydebank by train
On that cold station platform I waited for hours
I never saw Annie again
Oftimes I walk by the banks of the Leven
And follow its flow to the Clyde
And I think of that day spent wi' Annie McKelvie
The lassie that wounded my pride
Last Chorus:
Do you fancy a night at the dancing wi' me
The band in the town hall's the finest you'll see
If there's no' another place you'd rather be
Then I'll wait at the dance for you, Annie
ARTHUR McBRIDE
I had a first cousin called Arthur McBride
He and I took a stroll down by the by the sea side
A seeking good fortune and what might be tide
'Twas just as the day was a dawning
After resting we both took a tramp
We met Sergeant Harper and Corporal Cramp
Besides the wee drummer who beat up for camp
With his rowdy dow dow in the morning
Says he me young fellows if you will enlist
A guinea you quickly have in your fist
Likewise the crown for to kick the dust
And drink the king's health in the morning
From a soldier he leads a very fine life
He always is blessed with a charming young wife
And he pays all his debts without sorrow or strife
And always lives happy and charming
Ah now me bold sergeant we are not for sale
We'll make no such bargain, your bribe won't avail
We're not tried of our country we don't care to sail
Although that your offer is charming
And if we were such fools as to take the advance
This right bloody slander would be our poor chance
For the Queen wouldn't scruple to send us to France
Where we would be shot with out warning
He says me young fellows if I hear but one word
I instantly now will out with my sword
And into your body as strength will afford
So now my gay devils take warning
But Arthur and I we took in the odds
We gave them no chance for to launch out their swords
Our whacking shillelaghs came over their heads
And paid them right smart in the morning
As for the wee drummer we rifled his pouch
And we made a foot- ball of his rowdy dow dow
And into the ocean to rock and to roll
And bade it a tedious returning
As for the old rapier that hung by his side
We flung it as far as we could in tide
To devil I pitch you sez Arthur McBride
To temper your steel in the morning
AS I ROVED OUT
And who are you my pretty fair maid and who are you my honey
And who are you my pretty fair maid and who are you my honey
She answered me modestly I am me mother's darling with me
Too-ry ah fol de did-dle da di re fol-de-did-dle dair-ie oh
And will you come to me mother's house when the moon is shining clearly
And will you come to me mother's house when the moon is shining clearly
It'll open the door and I'll let you in and divil the one will hear us
Too-ry ah fol de did-dle da di re fol-de-did-dle dair-ie oh
Too-ry ah fol de did-dle da di re fol-de-did-dle dair-ie oh
So I went to her house in the middle of the night when the moon was shining clearly
So I went to her house in the middle of the night when the moon was shining clearly
She opened the door and she let me in and divil the one did hear us
Too-ry ah fol de did-dle da di re fol-de-did-dle dair-ie oh
She took me horse by the bridle and the bit and she led him to the stable
She took me horse by the bridle and the bit and she led him to the stable
Saying there's plenty of oats for a soldier's horse to eat it if he's able
Too-ry ah fol de did-dle da di re fol-de-did-dle dair-ie oh
Then she took me by the lily-white hand and she led me to the table
Then she took me by the lily-white hand and she led me to the table
Saying there's plenty of wine for a soldier boy to drink it if you're able
Too-ry ah fol de did-dle da di re fol-de-did-dle dair-ie oh
Then I got up and I made the bed and I made it nice and aisy
Then I got up and I made the bed and I made it nice and aisy
Then I got up and I laid her down saying lassie are you able
Too-ry ah fol de did-dle da di re fol-de-did-dle dair-ie oh
And there we lay till the break of day and divil the one did hear us
And there we lay till the break of day and divil the one did hear us
Then I arose and put on me clothes saying lassie I must leave you
Too-ry ah fol de did-dle da di re fol-de-did-dle dair-ie oh
And when will you return again and when will we get married
And when will you return again and when will we get married
When broken shells make Christmas bells we might well get married
Too-ry ah fol de did-dle da di re fol-de-did-dle dair-ie oh
AUF WEIDERSEHEN TO CROSSMAGLEN
Chorus:
Auf Weideresehen to Crossmaglen farewell to Carrickmore
I've seen enough of Ireland boys
And I wont be back for more
No I wont be back for more.
The recruiting sergeant told me son
"Army life is grand"
But he did not mention the mortar bombs
Or bloody claimore mines.
Chorus
He told me of the German girls
The discos every night
But the only craic in South Armagh
Comes from an armalite.
Chorus
I spent some time on the Tomb Bridge line
Where I thought I knew no fear,
Until a van bomb parked outside our base
Brought the barracks around my ears.
Chorus
Farewell at last to West Belfast
From the Markets to the Falls
I quickly got the message there
It was written on the walls.
Chorus
So all you young lads Where in England you may be Signing on the breau,
Just stay well away from the IRA
And they wont bother you
AULD LANG SYNE
Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne
For auld land syne, my dear, for auld lang syne
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet for auld syne.
And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp! And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, for auld lang syne.
We twa hae run about the braes and pu'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary foot, sin auld lang syne.
We twa hae paidl'd I' the burn, frae mornin' sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd, sin auld lang syne.
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere! And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right gude-willy waught, for auld lang syne.
AWAY SANDY
As I strolled down O'Connell Street, the day being warm and grand
I met a maid, she asked me trade, "I'm a singer in a band.”
Away Sandy, my dear Annie
Oh ye country girls, can you dance the polka
I took her to McDonald's, sure I didn't mind expense
I bought her chips and coffee; it only cost me eighty pence
Away Sandy, my dear Annie
Oh ye country girls, can you dance the polka
I asked her out to Sandycove, we traveled out by Dart
Please say you'll go, if you say no, you'll surely break me heart
Away Sandy, my dear Annie
Oh ye country girls, can you dance the polka
When we arrived at Sandycove we strolled along the Strand
She told me of her folks back home, as we walked hand in hand
Away Sandy, my dear Annie
Oh ye country girls, can you dance the polka
I asked her occupation and when questioned, seemed afraid
She looked at me, "Me ramblin' man, I am a Chamber Maid"
Away Sandy, my dear Annie
Oh ye country girls, can you dance the polka
With me hand upon her shoulder and the other one on her knee
Me boys me thinks with a few more drinks, with me she might agree
Away Sandy, my dear Annie
Oh ye country girls, can you dance the polka
When we arrived in by Rathmines Road, we came to her front door
She said, "Farewell me ramblin' boy, you'll never see me no more"
Away Sandy, my dear Annie
Oh ye country girls, can you dance the polka
I caught the bus to Dublin saying, "Fair dues to you me dear"
No more I'll chase the country girls, I'll stick to Lager Beer
Away Sandy, my dear Annie
Oh ye country girls, can you dance the polka
(Eric Bogle)
When I was a young man I carried a pack and lived the free life of a rover
From the Murray's green basin to the dusty outback, I waltzed my Matilda all over
Then in nineteen fifteen my country said son:
"It's time you stopped rambling, there's work to be done"
So they gave me a tin hat and they gave me a gun, and sent me away to a war
And the band played 'Waltzing Matilda' as the ship pulled away from the quay
And 'midst all the tears, flag waving and cheers, we sailed off to Gallipoli
How well I remember that terrible day, our blood stained the sand and the water
And how in that hell that they called Suvla Bay
We were butchered like lambs at the slaughter;
Johnny Turk he was waiting, he'd primed himself well,
He rained us with bullets & showered us with shells
And in five minutes flat he'd blown us all to hell, nearly blew us right back to Australia
And the band played 'Waltzing Matilda' as we stopped to bury our slain
We buried ours, and the Turks buried theirs, then it started all over again
Those that were living we tried to survive in that mad world of blood, death and fire
And for ten weary weeks I kept my self myself alive, while around the corpses piled higher
Then a big Turkish shell, knocked arse over head, and when I awoke in my hospital bed
I saw what was done, I wished I was dead, I never knew there were worse things than dying
For I'll go no more waltzing Matilda all around the green bush far and free
For to hump tent and peg, sure, a man needs two legs, no more waltzing Matilda for me
They collected the wounded, the crippled, the maimed, and shipped us back home to Australia
The arm less, the leg less, the blind, the insane, those proud wounded heroes of Suvla
And when our ship pulled into Circular Quay, I looked at the place where my legs used to be
I thanked Christ, there was no one there waiting for me, to grieve, to mourn and to pity
And the band played 'Waltzing Matilda' as they carried us down the gangway
But nobody cheered, they just stood there and stared, then they all turned their faces away
Now every April I sit on my porch and watch the parade pass before me
I see my old comrades, how proudly they march, reliving their dreams of past glories
I see the old men, tired, stiff and sore, the forgotten heroes of a forgotten war
And the young people ask, 'What are they marching for' and I ask myself the same question
And the band played 'Waltzing Matilda' and the old men still answer the call
But as year follows year, more old men disappear, someday no one will march there at all
CODA:
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda, who'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me
And their ghosts may be heard as they march by the billabong
Who'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me?
ANNE DEVLIN
(Pete St. John)
In Dublin town they sing of a brave Wicklow woman
Of her troubles and her times in cruel Kilmainham Jail
All the way from Butterfield Lane Anne Devlin was her name
A friend to Robert Emmett she served his cause in vain
Chorus:
Lo lie lo Liffey keep on flowin'
And it's lo lie lo Anne your legend's growin'
Not torture or the bribe could sway Anne Devlin's purpose
Three years of lonely hell in solitary shame
How proud Emmett met his fate on the scaffold of the tyrant
She saw her family passin' like poor lilies in the storm
Chorus
In 1851 Anne Devlin met her maker
But her story's with us still as a lesson for the wise
Not poverty or fear can kill the heart of freedom
Anne Devlin was a servant to the spirit of our land
Chorus
Chorus
ANNIE McKELVIE
(Iain Ingram)
Do you fancy a night at the dancing wi' me
The band in the town hall's the finest you'll see
If there's no' another place you'd rather be
Then come to the dance with me, Annie
Dumbarton's the place I met Annie McKelvie
She was walking alone by the shore
And we talked for a while till as evening was falling
I walked her back home to her door
She said, Give me a while to think o'er your proposal
My mother would have to consent
So we parted that night with a kiss at her doorstep
Back home through Bowling I went
At last she agreed she would come to the dancing
And travel to Clydebank by train
On that cold station platform I waited for hours
I never saw Annie again
Oftimes I walk by the banks of the Leven
And follow its flow to the Clyde
And I think of that day spent wi' Annie McKelvie
The lassie that wounded my pride
Last Chorus:
Do you fancy a night at the dancing wi' me
The band in the town hall's the finest you'll see
If there's no' another place you'd rather be
Then I'll wait at the dance for you, Annie
ARTHUR McBRIDE
I had a first cousin called Arthur McBride
He and I took a stroll down by the by the sea side
A seeking good fortune and what might be tide
'Twas just as the day was a dawning
After resting we both took a tramp
We met Sergeant Harper and Corporal Cramp
Besides the wee drummer who beat up for camp
With his rowdy dow dow in the morning
Says he me young fellows if you will enlist
A guinea you quickly have in your fist
Likewise the crown for to kick the dust
And drink the king's health in the morning
From a soldier he leads a very fine life
He always is blessed with a charming young wife
And he pays all his debts without sorrow or strife
And always lives happy and charming
Ah now me bold sergeant we are not for sale
We'll make no such bargain, your bribe won't avail
We're not tried of our country we don't care to sail
Although that your offer is charming
And if we were such fools as to take the advance
This right bloody slander would be our poor chance
For the Queen wouldn't scruple to send us to France
Where we would be shot with out warning
He says me young fellows if I hear but one word
I instantly now will out with my sword
And into your body as strength will afford
So now my gay devils take warning
But Arthur and I we took in the odds
We gave them no chance for to launch out their swords
Our whacking shillelaghs came over their heads
And paid them right smart in the morning
As for the wee drummer we rifled his pouch
And we made a foot- ball of his rowdy dow dow
And into the ocean to rock and to roll
And bade it a tedious returning
As for the old rapier that hung by his side
We flung it as far as we could in tide
To devil I pitch you sez Arthur McBride
To temper your steel in the morning
AS I ROVED OUT
And who are you my pretty fair maid and who are you my honey
And who are you my pretty fair maid and who are you my honey
She answered me modestly I am me mother's darling with me
Too-ry ah fol de did-dle da di re fol-de-did-dle dair-ie oh
And will you come to me mother's house when the moon is shining clearly
And will you come to me mother's house when the moon is shining clearly
It'll open the door and I'll let you in and divil the one will hear us
Too-ry ah fol de did-dle da di re fol-de-did-dle dair-ie oh
Too-ry ah fol de did-dle da di re fol-de-did-dle dair-ie oh
So I went to her house in the middle of the night when the moon was shining clearly
So I went to her house in the middle of the night when the moon was shining clearly
She opened the door and she let me in and divil the one did hear us
Too-ry ah fol de did-dle da di re fol-de-did-dle dair-ie oh
She took me horse by the bridle and the bit and she led him to the stable
She took me horse by the bridle and the bit and she led him to the stable
Saying there's plenty of oats for a soldier's horse to eat it if he's able
Too-ry ah fol de did-dle da di re fol-de-did-dle dair-ie oh
Then she took me by the lily-white hand and she led me to the table
Then she took me by the lily-white hand and she led me to the table
Saying there's plenty of wine for a soldier boy to drink it if you're able
Too-ry ah fol de did-dle da di re fol-de-did-dle dair-ie oh
Then I got up and I made the bed and I made it nice and aisy
Then I got up and I made the bed and I made it nice and aisy
Then I got up and I laid her down saying lassie are you able
Too-ry ah fol de did-dle da di re fol-de-did-dle dair-ie oh
And there we lay till the break of day and divil the one did hear us
And there we lay till the break of day and divil the one did hear us
Then I arose and put on me clothes saying lassie I must leave you
Too-ry ah fol de did-dle da di re fol-de-did-dle dair-ie oh
And when will you return again and when will we get married
And when will you return again and when will we get married
When broken shells make Christmas bells we might well get married
Too-ry ah fol de did-dle da di re fol-de-did-dle dair-ie oh
AUF WEIDERSEHEN TO CROSSMAGLEN
Chorus:
Auf Weideresehen to Crossmaglen farewell to Carrickmore
I've seen enough of Ireland boys
And I wont be back for more
No I wont be back for more.
The recruiting sergeant told me son
"Army life is grand"
But he did not mention the mortar bombs
Or bloody claimore mines.
Chorus
He told me of the German girls
The discos every night
But the only craic in South Armagh
Comes from an armalite.
Chorus
I spent some time on the Tomb Bridge line
Where I thought I knew no fear,
Until a van bomb parked outside our base
Brought the barracks around my ears.
Chorus
Farewell at last to West Belfast
From the Markets to the Falls
I quickly got the message there
It was written on the walls.
Chorus
So all you young lads Where in England you may be Signing on the breau,
Just stay well away from the IRA
And they wont bother you
AULD LANG SYNE
Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne
For auld land syne, my dear, for auld lang syne
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet for auld syne.
And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp! And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, for auld lang syne.
We twa hae run about the braes and pu'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary foot, sin auld lang syne.
We twa hae paidl'd I' the burn, frae mornin' sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd, sin auld lang syne.
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere! And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right gude-willy waught, for auld lang syne.
AWAY SANDY
As I strolled down O'Connell Street, the day being warm and grand
I met a maid, she asked me trade, "I'm a singer in a band.”
Away Sandy, my dear Annie
Oh ye country girls, can you dance the polka
I took her to McDonald's, sure I didn't mind expense
I bought her chips and coffee; it only cost me eighty pence
Away Sandy, my dear Annie
Oh ye country girls, can you dance the polka
I asked her out to Sandycove, we traveled out by Dart
Please say you'll go, if you say no, you'll surely break me heart
Away Sandy, my dear Annie
Oh ye country girls, can you dance the polka
When we arrived at Sandycove we strolled along the Strand
She told me of her folks back home, as we walked hand in hand
Away Sandy, my dear Annie
Oh ye country girls, can you dance the polka
I asked her occupation and when questioned, seemed afraid
She looked at me, "Me ramblin' man, I am a Chamber Maid"
Away Sandy, my dear Annie
Oh ye country girls, can you dance the polka
With me hand upon her shoulder and the other one on her knee
Me boys me thinks with a few more drinks, with me she might agree
Away Sandy, my dear Annie
Oh ye country girls, can you dance the polka
When we arrived in by Rathmines Road, we came to her front door
She said, "Farewell me ramblin' boy, you'll never see me no more"
Away Sandy, my dear Annie
Oh ye country girls, can you dance the polka
I caught the bus to Dublin saying, "Fair dues to you me dear"
No more I'll chase the country girls, I'll stick to Lager Beer
Away Sandy, my dear Annie
Oh ye country girls, can you dance the polka