If the words of the song tell the correct story, the swagman, is reputed to have committed suicide by jumping into the billabong to evade arrest. "Where his ghost may be heard as you pass beside the billabong". You can listen to the music and read the full lyrics if you click onWaltzing Matilda
Did the swagman jump, or was he pushed? I'm over here Scottie. Come and chase me.
Wales was home to such luminaries as Richard Burton, Shirley Bassey,
Tom Jones, Sir Harry Secombe, Dylan Thomas, Bryn Terfel, Sir Anthony Hopkins and for my first thirty years,
Me. How is the word pronounced? What is the Engish translation?
You can hear the national anthem and get a start on exploring the history, culture, scenic towns, mountains and lakes, or even find out about the Welsh language or the upcoming World Rugby Cup.. Did you know that a Welshman founded The New York Times? Did you know that a Welshman wrote the music for the 1998 Academy Awards ceremony? Do it now! I'm sure you'll be glad you did. After my wife, our offspring and their offspring, among my main interests are writing and travel.
If you click on My Book it will take you to a page containing links to some sample chapters introducing the main protagonists of my book.
Try clicking on Travel It should take you to my first travel page.
I am also interested in Humour. A day without a laugh and a song is a day wasted. WARNING! My pages may be a little irreverent and also perhaps a little naughty, but NEVER crude. No disrespect or offence is intended to any religion, race, political party, profession etc. As with my writing pages, each page is a few thousand words, so should be downloaded to read off line. Try clicking first on Humour1If you like what you saw, try clicking on Humour2"If you can still stand more, Try clicking on Humour3 Note, if you don't get a laugh out of these pages, you'd better check your pulse. You may be dead.
You will find the answer when you get to the bottom of this page.
"Say G'day to my mate Dry Red"
Cockroach Dundee's motto. If at first you don't succeed
Try Try again.
Bye!.
Click the button to enter his world.
e-mail me at norm@hotkey.net.au
Updated June 11th, 1999
The song 'Waltzing Matilda' tells the story of 'a jolly swagman' who was an itinerant sheep shearer. He was being sought by the police "to help them in their enquiries", into the disappearance of a certain young sheep.
After you read the words you might like to check.
The Australian balladeer Dennis O'Keeffe has thoroughly researched this subject. In his page, 'The International Home of Waltzing Matilda'. He reveals some fascinating details about the true story which not only spawned Australia's most popular song, (The People's Anthem), now well known around the world, but was a significant event in the times and environment which promulgated Trade Unionism in Australia.
Where's that damned Rottweiler?
Land of song, of male voice choirs more than 100 strong, of harp music, mediaeval castles, Arthurian legends and much
much more.
Home of that
small village with a very long name. The longest URL on the web?
LLANFAIRPWYLLGWYNGYLLGOGERYCHWYRNDROBWLLLLANTYSILIOGOGOGOCH.
You can click on My Wales Page where you can find links to that longest URL and many links to this fascinating ancient country.
Did you know that the royal family wedding rings, (including those for Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones) are made from Welsh gold?
Did you know that Wales had put a man on the moon ten years before the Americans?
O.K. That man on the moon bit is pure bovine bowel evacuation. BUT Hey! Four out of five is not bad.
Click onBritannia to discover a wealth of most interesting information.
If you click on Rhymes It will take you to a page, covering some of the (more or less) humorous rhyming stuff I wrote in the Seniornet Writing folder, under the 'nom de plume' Jolly Swagman.
The page is a few thousand words, so should be downloaded to read off line.
If you click on Short Stories It will take you to a page containing links to a few stories.
I'll put on some of the other writing pages as soon as possible.
Help! Help!
Will COCKROACH DUNDEE the resourceful aussie SUPERHERO (not to be confused with CROCODILE Dundee,) be able to save the missionary ?
"Will my son never leave home?"
How the resourceful little Aussie Battler saved the missionary.
The Rippling Lake applet used in the billabong scene is of course the creation of David Griffiths. Yet another brilliant Welshman.
THESE ARE THE LINKS REFERRED TO ON THIS PAGE