Eric Bogle The Band Played Waltzing Matilda REACTION

from the 1980 album Now I'm Easy

[@icarii9366]

Never seen a US reaction to an Aussie song, where they didn't interrupt several times to tell you their thoughts, or questions. Your face said all it needed to sir. Which is all any of us can do nowadays. I grew up with these intense songs, and we hold them dear. They are remnants of my family's service. Thank you for showing it the respect it deserves. From Australia.

[@deepcutsreactions7774]

I never stop any song, it would be disrespectful to the music.

[@jwdhawkeye]

This is what Ataturk wrote: “In 1934, Ataturk famously wrote a letter to Australian mothers, saying, ‘having lost their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well.’”

[@deepcutsreactions7774]

Interesting. My already high opinion of the man just went up a few notches. Too bad he's not around today.

[@TheBoffinLabs]

I've watched several "US Reaction" videos for this song and "I was only 19". You are the first person to show the respect of watching the whole song before stopping and commenting. Everyone else thought their opinion was more important than the song itself. Your respect has earned mine. Plus a like.

[@mariestreeting4213]

Well said ❤

[@karolynforeman7529]

Yes..that's respect and intellect.. collect, observe before speaking words...words of war. Regards Karolyn Melbourne Australia

[@PizzamudGames]

As an Aussie and as a person I appreciate your reaction and the fact that you knew your history on it too. Much respect.

[@deepcutsreactions7774]

I should know it better.

[@scottbradly1990]

@@deepcutsreactions7774 we all should

[@johnwatters6922]

in 2014 the small rural town I live in (pop. 450 ) had their usual Anzac day dawn service. A normal turnout is about 40 to 50 people, but with no prior hype or advertising at least 2000 were there for the dawn service to celebrate the 100 yr anniversary of the beginning of WW1. The trauma of that war still resonates .Lest we forget

[@perthgirlwa2407]

​@@johnwatters6922 ANZAC Day is not the anniversary of the beginning of WWI, that was 28th June 1914. It's the anniversary of the 1st engagement of Australian & New Zealand troops in 1915. So 2015 was the Centennial of our involvement. This should still be taught in schools.

[@johnwatters6922]

If you read my post again I tried to convey that 2014 was the 100th anniversary (technically the 99th) of the beginning of WW1. I'm well aware of the significance and date of the Anzac Cove landings, my great uncle served there ,later winning the MM at Poziers. It was not the beginning of Australia's involvement in WW1, the very first shot by British and Commonwealth forces was by a gun battery at Fort Nepean at a german ship trying to escape Port Melbourne hours after the declaration of war. @@perthgirlwa2407

[@Ron-uq2hg]

Another thank you for shelving your ego and playing this song right through. I’m a Kiwi not Australian but this song applies just as much to New Zealand. I’m 86 years old and one of a diminishing breed of children of the original Anzacs. As long as I can remember I have been to the dawn service every Anzac Day. It started with my father who survived WWI excepted he was invalided home in 1917. Now in a wheel chair but still do Anzac Dawn Service. Thank you dad and all the other Anzacs.

[@svenomick5857]

Deep cuts My Grandfather was second light Horse Gallipoli wounded twice returned home Brisbane five of His Brothers serviced Bertie was Killed He is still there In a well known Cemetery My Grandfather went back 75 years later for the anniversary with the Australian Government a 747 load of Vets with Prime Minister Bob Hawke George Svenson lived till He was 97 years old cheers Mick Svenson great song.

[@geoffreywheatley7711]

As a Australian this is a very powerful song, also, the song I was only 19 about the Vietnam war.

[@deepcutsreactions7774]

I can't listen to it without crying.

[@rdalin]

I have listened to this song scores of times and it brings tears to my eyes every damn time. Bogle once said if he had known how popular it would become he would have done a better job, but I think he did just fine. For more, listen to his "Green Fields of France," aka "Willie McBride."

[@karenstrong8887]

I am sorry you had to hear it all. I cannot anymore. Eric Bogle was a Scottish Australian and he got that part right. There is a Memorial to us and the Turkish people overlooking the beach in Gallipoli. Australians still travel there each year for the dawn service. Now they are relatives of those soldiers. Thank you.

[@captcaveman82]

Eric is still with us and performing.

[@StratBurst92]

My late brother-in-law was from Australia. He was with the 7th Rar in Vietnam. On every 25th of April both Australia & New Zealand honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice by proclaiming this day as ANZAC day.

[@georgielancaster1356]

Thank you for not stopping it to share your thoughts, but to let the song tell the full story. I could see emotion cross your face, your eye blinks increased markedly, with the emotion that built. Those of us who watched your face could see your emotions were strong. Can I suggest a song called, "I'll be Gone", or "Someday I'll have money..." Another Oz song from the late 60's or early 70's. So long ago, now. Not a war song, but a song that expressed a disinterest in wealth and that peaceful desire to drop out and live a gentle life. Also, another song of Vietnam. Sung by Ronnie Burns. I think Molly Meldrum produced it? Written about a young pop star who had to walk away from his booming pop star success to serve in Vietnam. When he came back, the world had moved on, and I think he had seen too much in Vietnam to fight for commercial success. The song is called Smiley. And you can see the original video, with the flower power, rockstar clothes... An absolute time warp. And then, as a surprise for many Americans, the Oz Beatles, The Easybeats, whose songs Sorry, and Wedding Ring, She's So Fine and Monday I got Friday on my Mind, will blow the spiderwebs out of everybody's ears. A last suggestion for a song, Russel Morris singing The Real Thing. One of the greatest Earworms of all time. And if anyone wants to watch the gentlest, sweetest comedy about the Space Race, as could only be experienced in country Australia, the joyful little film, The Dish.

[@winsomeblandford1076]

Heartbreaking. Its a story we have heard many times. Hope you are feeling ok.❤

[@sgtcrab2569]

In 2003 I was in Tassie and went to the dawn remembrance of ANZAC day in April at an RSL. I was a US Army 65-68 vet. It meant a lot to me. Several weeks later the last ANZAC died in Hobart I believe.

[@jeffputnam3582]

First heard a great version of this by the Pogues from the '90's. Glad to hear Eric's original. Thank you.

[@l6gaming]

this is the Progues, not Eric's original, still bloody good

[@AlanRoweintheuk]

@@l6gaming No, this version is Eric Bogle. The Pogues did a great version but this isn't it.

[@timmcgurl]

​@l6gaming With all due respect, @16, but I'm afraid you could use a good old "Wash‐Out" or "Cleanzing Rinse" of both of your Inner Ears, especially, if you "can't tell the difference" between the Rough and Rowdy, Grovelly Voice of long‐time Pogues Lead Singer, Shane MacGowan and the Liltingly Clean Tenor/Baritone Voice of the Song's Original Composer, Eric Bogle? Also, this Original Eric Bogle STUDIO version, being played above, has classical‐styled Piano, Electric Bass, Accordion, and Banjo; while any of The Pogues' versions use Floor Tom‐Toms, Electric Bass, Banjo, 12‐string Guitar, Accordion and Tin Whistle that accompanies Shane MacGowan's Heavily, Grovelly Punk Voice. There's NO comparison between Bogle's Studio Version (heard here), to any of the versions done by The Pogues, (which as great as they were), they were a profoundly Celtic Folk‐Punk band, compared to the pure Scottish‐born Aussie Folk Style of the great Folk Singer, Eric Bogle. Just sayin'!

[@66pheonixpatrick76]

Lots of respect for our fallen and serving members, may God take care of them all. Thank you sir for your sensitive comments regarding not only the song but for getting how hallowed a day it is for all Australians/ ANZAC’s.

[@flibbinflah22]

Mate I too appreciate your reaction and your knowledge of what this song is actually about. Well done.

[@grahamejohn6847]

Very good reaction it's a pleasure to hear someone who knows what they are talking about. Well done.

[@michaelwebster8389]

The Pogues version is the most bitter, and the best for my mind. Canada also suffered extremely during that war, but it was a tremendous lost to a small country like Australia to have about 200,000 casualties, and around 70,000 killed in that war. As you said, it was the loss of the best of a generation, and the survivors were undoubtedly traumatized. Of course all the WWI veterans I ever met were just the most gentle, wise and lovely people I ever met.

[@peterfromgw4615]

Mate, Eric Bogle wrote this and performed many times. His is the definitive version, not some random group of drunken Irishmen pretending to be musicians. Just check out the contribution Australia provided during WW1. Also check out Lt. General Sir John Monash and his contributionto military strategy - that is “combined arms actions”. Tschüss und Grüße aus Australien.

[@michaelwebster8389]

@@peterfromgw4615 Yes, I know about Monash, and I know about Australia in WWI - I had relatives there with them. I don't know why you'd have a go at the Irish, when the song is by a Scottish Emigre to Australia. The Pogues version is the best in my opinion as I said, and you trying to school another Aussie about Australian war history is pretty ridiculous.

[@karenglenn6707]

There will never be a better version than Eric Bogle. His live rendition is amazing!

[@KittykatOz]

It was not a campaign, it was World War 1. My grandfather and his brother were there on April 25th, both survived. They were ANZACS. This song makes me sad at what they went through but never spoke about. They watched their son's go to WW2 and both knew what they were going into.

[@MrGreglarry]

Powerful song for a tragic moment in history.

[@frederickherring2284]

This is a true blue Ausie refrain, But written by a Scot. Makes the hairs on my neck stand up

[@AndyFNQ84]

I heard someone say once no-one came back from WWI uninjured, some injuries were just harder to see than others

[@deepcutsreactions7774]

I think "shell shock" went beyond PTSD. The constant noise and shock waves did something awful to the body beyond the normal horrors of war.

[@jammyscouser2583]

Yeah, my mums Grandad hung himself on her 9th birthday. He left New Zealand in late 1914 and came home in 1919 a broken man

[@deepcutsreactions7774]

@@jammyscouser2583 I don't know how anybody came back from that war unbroken. Even today, in the U.S., veteran suicide is an epidemic and vet homelessness is rampant.

[@johnand77171]

Thank you ❤

[@lorddeath4bs689]

Waltzing is walking Matilda is a swag or backpack with all their stuff in💀💀💀

[@elbanner1]

I understand .I'm from the Netherlands and it is verry emotionel . Take your time my friend ,love from my heart.

[@simon_wiggle_fan]

The Australian children's group, the Wiggles did a beautiful version of this song to honor ANZAC Day last year. You should consider doing a reaction to them, even though they're mainly a children's group, they have done several "adult" type songs, such as an Irish lullaby called Castle Of Dromore, aka The October Winds, among a few others. Just an idea to throw out there, they "turn" 30 years old this year and are still going with a now expanded group, from 4 members to 8 members. Something from them would be a fun way to honor their 30 year success.

[@genehenrylindgren]

It is one of the finest statements about the horror and stupidity of war.

[@DawnSuttonfabfour]

Our ANZAC troops were heroes. Who knows what was lost? Cure for cancer? A man who had a plan for world peace? The politician who changes the world? We will never know. feel you Greg, WW1 was a pointless tragic waste of young men's lives.

[@deepcutsreactions7774]

Pointless is right and it set the stage for most of the wars since. You guys had two generations of young men slaughtered along with the hopes and dreams of the whole country. Tragic indeed.

[@martinotoole4097]

And iron men of courage in North Africa.

[@glennplumb2313]

Now imagine this song will make Anzac Day not important it a insult to have a stranger use our National folk song to lie 😮

[@michaelfulthorpe1910]

Best anti-war song ever.

[@teresakym2672]

This, and I Was Only 19 be Redgum.

[@PFay]

The Pogues did a great version of this Eric Bogle song too. Greg, also noted your review of Redgum’s I was Only 19. You could really complete the trilogy of the Aussie veteran experience by checking out Khe Sanh by Cold Chisel. Suggest the version on KZbin including lyrics for better understanding this great piece of storytelling about the returned vet experience. Cheers. Oops! Ok, now I note you’ve already covered Khe Sanh. Well done.

[@WalkerSausage5150]

Former Cavalry Scout. That's a tear jerker for me man

[@nathanroberts355]

My great grandfather Thomas Joseph canny was a lighthorseman in Gallipoli and Beersheba in first world war

[@ianjones2428]

you need to watch this live version [ Recorded live at Stoneyfell Winery, Adelaide, South Australia on 1st March, 2009 ].

[@peterfromgw4615]

Mate, you are 100% correct. The video with this version shows Canadian military, nothing about the Aussies or Kiwis……. Grüße aus Australien.

[@martinlarkin8066]

Being a kiwi I often wonder about the lost possibilities that might have come from those soldiers lives had they not died. We look T Winston Churchill with anger, knowing that was his vanity that kept the ANZACS and others fighting and being killed there for such a long time. When he knew there was no chance of achieving victory. We will never forget those that never came home.

[@peterfromgw4615]

Mate, 100% agree. Churchill was an arsehole and incompetent. Us Aussies and Kiwis were used as expendibles……. Grüße aus Australien.

[@martinlarkin8066]

@@bea93120 that war was utterly pointless. Countries accusing each other of things they themselves were guilty of. My great uncle arrived in France on November eleventh nineteen eighteen, and was blown up two days later! No known grave. I was never able to meet him, and he was never able to have a family and a life. A generation lost!

[@rishubhsethi9248]

​@channelsixtyeight068 That man transferred whole seasons worth of crop from india to Europe which resulted in the bengal famine costing countless deaths due to starvation. He isn't the hero he's made out to be

[@robertdavis1255]

Thanks for sharing your experience listening to this song....yes we never learn as humans & we allow heads of government to start wars that never seems to help anyone....if all the resources were channeled into improving the standard of living & fighting diseases we would all be better off in the world.... cheers from Australia....🙂

[@peterspalding9380]

The green fields of France by the same artist is also very special

[@robburdack4361]

live version of this song is much better ... feels warmer and with much more emotion thats come with eric,s age

[@DawnSuttonfabfour]

Very moving. The film Gallipoli captures it well. Tragic.

[@deepcutsreactions7774]

I haven't seen it. I'm having trouble watching any kind of war movie of late, I watch way too much footage coming out of Ukraine.

[@The_Resistance_1961]

This is often cited as an ''anti-war song.'' It isn't. It's a proper war song which simply tells the facts. ''I was only 19'' tells almost the same story, but with a Vietnam twist to it.

[@martynnotman3467]

330000 of the Troops in the Gallipoli Campaign were British or Irish. About 80000 French, About 60000 were Aussie, about 15000 NZ and about 16000 Indian. Plus contingents from all over. Huge numbers of men.

[@deepcutsreactions7774]

I know and a lot more killed than listed in that video.

[@martynnotman3467]

@@deepcutsreactions7774 in total including Turkish and Arab probably over 100000 dead.

[@dennismoore1134]

So??!! This song is not about them, it is about the Australians, from their perspective. If you want a song about the other nationalities & from their perspective, you write it. Don't insult the huge sacrifices that the Australians & New Zealanders made by trying to diminish this song, or to dismiss their efforts. A huge percentage of the ANZACs' casualties were as a result of the insane orders of British butchers ( generals ). General Haig, anyone? Have enough class & enough decency to judge this song on its merits & to respect it accordingly. Dennis Moore.

[@martynnotman3467]

@@dennismoore1134 "ignore all the death, sacrifice and pain of all those others it doesnt fit my ignorant nationalistic view of the world" Pointing out the range of nationalities there does not diminish the actions of the Anzacs. Ignoring the massive contribution of other nationalities DOES massively disrespect them and their sacrifice.

[@martynnotman3467]

@@dennismoore1134 also criticism of General Haig is perfectly fair. But he was never in charge on the Gallipoli front, he was in charge of the Western Front. So if you are going to blame someone for that blame Hamilton (and Churchill)

[@Oldbutnotout65]

It is a very sad song that gets me every time. The only line that annoys me is "What are they marching for", they march to honor all their "mates" and all who served who didn't come home. "LEST WE FORGET".

[@gemnfert]

I can understand the reasoning behind the question. The song is written from the viewpoint of someone who has lived through the war, was permanently damaged and changed by it. Seeing the parade passing by, they likely felt that the parade was glorifying the war. It would have been a bitter thing to experience, making them question exactly why they were marching… obviously not understanding that those marching weren’t glorifying the war, but quite the opposite - they were attempting to raise awareness for those who had fought and lost their lives. They were honouring the dead, and trying to show how horrific and life changing war is.

[@nevyn_karres]

As a species we have a few things that we need to work on.

[@neilpepper3575]

God bless the ANZACS. Canada?.

[@williamwebb8908]

Great reaction. Thank you.

[@JannahAllen]

I love canada but seriously who made this music video? Waltzing Matilda is a classic old Aussie song and we sing it for our Kiwi brothers and sisters across the ditch. This video became Canadian?

[@deepcutsreactions7774]

I know, I thought it was pretty weird.

[@georgielancaster1356]

Our Canadian family felt the song spoke to them. They loved it so much, they shared it and many felt there could be nothing better written. I think this version was taken because it was so loved and so moving and they played this for their own people to mourn THEIR losses, on tv. To show Australian and New Zealand uniforms may have confused some viewers. For the song sums up what every country, every deep thinking, good human being, thinks about WW1. The problem is, that it is so loved, it escaped the programme it was made for, and now many view it and think, "Canadians?" It isn't meant to try to pinch it or claim it as Canadian. Just that so many feel the song cannot be bettered. Don't beat up the Canadians when they love this song so much and have their own war dead to mourn. It would be nice if they gave Eric a shout out, before and after the song, so people can search for him, find him singing it, find the video he put out when it first came out. I am old enough to remember when it was new, and it sucked all the oxygen out of your lungs, and made you quiet and sad and overwhelmed. at the song's truth and beauty. The Pogues version carries the anger of what so many naive men were coaxed and shamed into joining. It is very good, but the original should have been acknowledged. This song, if Eric did nothing more in his life, makes his life a treasure to be grateful for... He can look any hero, any great man in the face, and say, I wrote this song - and a number of others and feel equal to them all... Even now, a VERY learned historian, recently spoke of the glorious poetry, and song of the Pogues, and even called it Waltzing Matilda, when the song is AND THE BAND PLAYED WALTZING MATILDA, as it uses THAT song, to build it's story. It truly is a song of multi depths, beauty, such sadness - sorrow at what was allowed to happen... Thank you Eric for joining us in Oz. I hope you love your life here. We are truly honoured and happy that you chose us.

[@markflynn2294]

Still trying to figure out why the clip shows Canadian defence personnel at the end, when the song is about the ANZACS.

[@deepcutsreactions7774]

Oh I know, that was strange. I didn't preview the video.

[@Alexander-Bunyip]

It's known & used, now, universally. The Pogues do a nice version, just to show another international perspective. Cheers

[@jammyscouser2583]

@@Alexander-Bunyip knocked me arse over tit

[@ChrisBright-qj6yx]

1st American I've heard understand that the USA was late to the party in both world wars after everyone else had been fighting for years

[@glosfishgb6267]

8141 Australian Soldiers died at gallipoli 50 thousand is how many served there

[@kellielewis4490]

❤❤🇭🇲🇭🇲

[@criticalthinkersrule]

The British commanders scewed up the planning and landed the forces in the wrong place - where the Turks had a massive geographical advantage. They didn't stand a chance.

[@sueaddison9958]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🌏🪐🌕🙏🌸🐦🇦🇺🦋🦜🦉🏡🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@montecarlo1651]

No offence to the Canadians but what is it about all the Canadian Army images for a song about Australians?

[@deepcutsreactions7774]

I thought that was weird too but it was a fan made video.

[@neilpepper3575]

The Canadian flag?.. it's about the Aussies and the kiwis.

[@deepcutsreactions7774]

Yeah, I know. That's what I said in the video.

[@kookymonsta6566]

U suspect you are a Vietnam met so I will not ask questions unless you want to answer them., I do understand the PTSD

[@deepcutsreactions7774]

No, I never went to Vietnam. I knew a lot of folks that did and saw the changes war brought. There are a lot of things I don't talk about on the channel and others I am deliberately vague about, mostly those that are close to me, partially due to security concerns. The wars in the Mideast brought their own sort of horrors. On a different note, I think a lot of folks in Oklahoma have some degree of PTSD due to the many tornados that have hit our area. The strongest winds ever recorded on the planet (@ 320mph) struck in 1999 a few miles north of us. Just one of many. In 1995, while I was up in Oklahoma City, a neo-Nazi bombed the Murrah Building downtown and killed 168 people. I was all there was on the news and many of us tried to aide in the rescue-recovery that followed. Most everybody around here knew someone that was killed or leastways had one degree of separation. I'm not trying to equate those things with being in battle but they sure haven't done anyone any good. Tornados are a little bit different than most natural disasters in that there is very little warning. You can usually survive it if you have a plan, even though your house may be destroyed, but spring makes us kind of twitchy.

[@frankmageean6027]

So many killed so a power base can be maintained.

[@deepcutsreactions7774]

To some extent, at least in some of the theaters, it was the first war over oil.

[@deepcutsreactions7774]

link to original video kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXiXaXmqqNdmhas

[@cgkennedy]

Eric Bogle is an Australian citizen.The Scottish and Irish accents hang around for many years. My late husband's great uncle came to Australia at 22, surveyed the Gunbarrel Highway and other remote roads, lived to 104 and still had a thick Irish brogue even then.

[@glennplumb2313]

Ww1 vets hated it it’s all wrong no tin hat we didn’t land at sulva

[@charlesbrewer6552]

The Gallipoli Campaign was Australia's 'baptism by fire' as the nation rallied to support Great Britain. Over 26,000 casualties and more than 8,000 deaths from a nation with a population of around 4 million. The 416,000 who enlisted represented more than 38% of the male population, ALL volunteers! Australian troops served throughout WW1 and were used as 'shock troops' because of their fierce fighting spirit. Australians were the first to defeat the Germans at the battle for Tobruk in WW2. Australians were the first to defeat the Japanese at Milne Bay in new Guinea in WW2 following the campaign, driving them back over the Kokoda Track!. Australian troops have fought alongside Americans in EVERY war since WW2! Australian troops have a proud reputation to this day! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Milne_Bay

[@dalewyatt1321]

John Williamsons's version is better. An Australian singing about Australians.

[@caro.k2958]

Personally tho he wasn’t born in Australia he emigrated here and made Australia his home. Neither lived through Gallipolli but Eric felt deeply enough about it to pen this masterpiece and sings it with a depth of feeling and understanding that only the composer has. I far prefer Eric’s original

[@Mirrorgirl492]

You realize Eric WROTE the bloody thing, right? Australians come from all over the world as well as being born here.

[@dalewyatt1321]

@@Mirrorgirl492 Well der. Excuse me for having a PREFERANCE. (note my use of capitals to)

[@karenstrong8887]

No, it isn’t.

[@davidsandz2186]

@@dalewyatt1321 What a condescending small-minded pillock you are.....and it's a song about Australians and New Zealanders.....you need to just stfu!