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Issue Details: First known date: 2012... 2012 Waltzing Matilda: The Secret History of Australia's Favourite Song
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

An expose of two cover-ups: one the death of a swagman by a billabong; the other, a torrid affair between Banjo Paterson and his fiancee's best friend, and how the two events come together in Australia's best-loved national song.

Australians know Waltzing Matilda, written by our most popular poet Banjo Paterson, as our most loved song and unofficial national anthem. What Australians don't know is that their song is embroiled in a web of secrecy, violence and a triangular love affair. Written at a pivotal time in Australia's history, Waltzing Matilda is as important to Australian culture as events like the Eureka Stockade and the story of Ned Kelly.

'In the middle of remote Queensland, shearing sheds were being burnt to the ground by striking union shearers, amid violent gun battles and sheep being burnt to death. A swagman mysteriously died beside a remote billabong, possibly shot by the squatter or one of the three policemen. Then a secret deal was done by unionists to conceal the truth of the swagman's death. Banjo Paterson becomes entangled in a love affair that destroys the lives of two women. This is the story of Waltzing Matilda.

'Although various authors and historians have written about Waltzing Matilda, mostly they have been influenced by their own political leanings. Generally, the left side of politics claim the song is a political allegory and the conservatives claim Waltzing Matilda is nothing but a 'meaningless little ditty'. All of them have neglected to consider in general that Banjo Paterson, like a lot of successful men, was a womaniser.

'One hundred and fifteen years after the writing of Waltzing Matilda, Australians continue to be fascinated with the song and sing it proudly wherever they meet to celebrate. Given the facts outlined in this story, they will be further captivated and embrace the song for decades to come. ' (Publication summary)

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • Crows Nest, North Sydney - Lane Cove area, Sydney Northern Suburbs, Sydney, New South Wales,: Allen and Unwin , 2012 .
      image of person or book cover 7122127453132365362.jpg
      This image has been sourced from Booktopia
      Extent: 294p., [16]p. of platesp.
      Description: illus., facsims., ports.
      Note/s:
      • Includes bibliographical references (p. 276-287) and index.
      ISBN: 9781742377063 (pbk.)

Works about this Work

Third Age : All Tragic to the Moon Shirley Stott-Despoja , 2013 single work column
— Appears in: The Adelaide Review , February no. 396 2013; (p. 21)
Untitled David Bradbury , 2012 single work review
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 9 June 2012; (p. 30)

— Review of Waltzing Matilda: The Secret History of Australia's Favourite Song Dennis O'Keeffe , 2012 single work criticism
Pick of the Week Steven Carroll , 2012 single work review
— Appears in: The Saturday Age , 21 April 2012; (p. 30)

— Review of Waltzing Matilda: The Secret History of Australia's Favourite Song Dennis O'Keeffe , 2012 single work criticism
Secret behind the Swagman Ron Cerabona , 2012 single work column
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 4 April 2012; (p. 5)
Pick of the Week Steven Carroll , 2012 single work review
— Appears in: The Saturday Age , 21 April 2012; (p. 30)

— Review of Waltzing Matilda: The Secret History of Australia's Favourite Song Dennis O'Keeffe , 2012 single work criticism
Untitled David Bradbury , 2012 single work review
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 9 June 2012; (p. 30)

— Review of Waltzing Matilda: The Secret History of Australia's Favourite Song Dennis O'Keeffe , 2012 single work criticism
Secret behind the Swagman Ron Cerabona , 2012 single work column
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 4 April 2012; (p. 5)
Third Age : All Tragic to the Moon Shirley Stott-Despoja , 2013 single work column
— Appears in: The Adelaide Review , February no. 396 2013; (p. 21)
Last amended 30 Jan 2017 12:18:37
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