February 17 - Banjo Paterson (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

Andrew Barton "Banjo" Paterson (17 February 1864 – 5 February 1941) was an Australian bush poet, journalist and author, best known for writing the words to "Waltzing Matilda."

[For last year's thoughts on Arcangelo Corelli click here.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

G’Day, Mate(ilda); or, Down Under as I Wander

One uses words like “billabong”

When writing an Australian song;

And “coolibah” and “tucker bags,”

And other such Down Under tags.

You could, if you were feeling cocky,

Try “slithy toves” or “jabberwocky,”

Though that might lead to legal peril

From the heirs of Lewis Carroll.

So stick with the distinctive lingo

Of the kangaroo and dingo -

Continue singing willy-nilly

Of the “jumbuck” and your “billy.”

 

 

 

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