#eric bogle

Liam Clancy - Band Played Waltzing Matilda

Mitch Sheehy

When I was a boy I loved the song Waltzing Matilda. I liked the Australian words, billabong, billy can, coolibah tree, jumbuck, and learned that Matilda was a word for a backpack frame. The song allowed me to travel to an exotic place. When I saw Eric Bogle's song, And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda, I thought I knew what I was going to hear. Instead hearing it I was gutted.

There are many great renditions of the song. Eric Bogle in an interview remarked:

A lot of people now think the song is traditional. And a lot of people think that I died in the war, and penned it in blood as I expired in the bottom of a trench. I never thought the song would outlast me, but I have decided now there's no doubt it will. For how long, I have no idea. Nothing lasts forever. Hopefully it'll be sung for quite a few years down the track, especially in this country. And hopefully it will get to the stage where everyone forgets who wrote it.[1]

anon I’m not gonna lie to you I’m not the biggest fan of Christmas in general. it reminds me a lot of the commercialised and the colonial, oppressive side of Christianity and I find it hard to get into the spirit when neither of these things have been reconciled and the damage they’ve done to the planet and oppressed people hasn’t been resolved.

that said there are a few that hit well for me. I’m not sure I’ll make it to 13, but in no particular order:

Christmas must be something more by taylor swift. I just find it super cute the way she’s like ‘here’s to the baby boy that saved our lives’ like obv everyone is entitled to their own beliefs around Christmas and the holidays, but I appreciate the sentiment behind this song

do they know it’s christmas (feed the world) by band aid (which isn’t a real band, I can’t remember the full lineup but I’m thinking of the 1984 original with boy george etc.) I know it does have some problematic implications with the image it presents of africa, however, when I see it as what it is (a fundraising song trying to break us out of our feel-good bubbles and capture the heart of sharing from our plenty when we’re the ones who happen to have that privilege) it’s a lot more meaningful than a bunch of carols

dtkic (2014). the one where one direction sang a part and so did chris martin, to raise money for ebola. ik it’s kinda a cop out to put the same song twice but they changed it to make it a little bit less politically incorrect, and I’m putting it here to call on directioners who can tell, to tell me exactly which 1D members sang what. also, how cool would it be if we did a new one in 2024 to raise money for palestine and ukraine? (do I want 5sos to sing it? of course)

angels we have heard on high (I think that’s what it’s called). the one with the Gloria in exelsis deo. the modern version. I played it on viola once for a church event and it was fun

silent night. love how melodic this is

o holy night. I love the themes of the slave being our brother, freedom for the oppressed etc. To me that’s what Christmas is about.

taylors last christmas

colin buchanan’s parody of jingle bells, called jesus saves. it’s a bit corny and does present a more simplified evangelical penal substitution version of Christianity/the gospel (aka the one where it requires telling you you’re sinful) but it’s not super dark and it’s kinda fun and I appreciate it way more as an adult than I did as a kid

this one isn’t really a Christmas song but it captures the holiday season in Australia really well and how I grew up celebrating Christmas. Aussie BBQ by eric bogle. I’d encourage anyone who either wants to see their culture represented or wants to realise that the whole world isn’t the northern hemisphere to give it a listen. It’s hilarious as anything and has the best lyrics and little references. I prefer the Goanna Gang cover to the original, it’s got a couple lyric changes to be less problematic and they generally did it really well musically. It’s available on streaming services I’m pretty sure, but I’m not sure if only in Australia. dm me if you want the mp3 though I can post it

I’ll add something that’s not a Christmas song at all but has themes of going to see family: the road to gundagai. It’s a traditional Australian song or something, can’t remember the original, but there’s a cool parody of the main lyrics as well as the original on the goanna gang version. I might have to post that one because the parody verse starts with ‘there’s an old fashioned Ford made of rubber tin and cord’ and I can’t find the version I have on CD anywhere else

come thou long expected jesus

mum by luke hemmings (yeah I’m joining in the trend in this fandom to make this our de facto christmas song just because it contains the words ‘I’ll be home December morning). but anyway I love the themes of this song, and though it’s written to a parent it can also be applicable to a relationship with God, and reconciling that, which is a big part of Christmas to me. The ‘I’m so heavy, jump into my ocean, can’t you see me sinking?’ calling out to the person (or deity, if you’re me) who takes care of you to come and witness you, mirrors really well the ‘call’ of the people that Christmas was meant to be an answer to. which is still the call of the people in the land where Jesus was born especially today. so

"The Green Fields of France" performed by Niall Hanna and Niamh Farrell. ____________________________ The Green Fields of France Songwriter: Eric Bogle

Here in Germany, the 9th of November is a day to remember - just like the 11th  is for the People of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, the US, Belgium or France. 

In these autumn days in 1918 ended the war that should end all wars. 

As you all know - it should turn out differently. Warmongers and right wing revanchists remembered too - vowed Revenge to “enemies” and “traitors” - and the consequences are well known. 

But I don't want to preach or politicize.

I ask you to lend an ear to a German Songwriter: Hannes Wader.

He edited a famous English anti-war song.

No man’s land (a.k.a The green fields of france) by  Eric Bogle... 

Here is a touching live Version of the Original.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-38PB_5ozc

And here you find the German Version...  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfPH0sEf9bk

And here my translation of the German Lyrics: 

Far in the Champagne in the midsummer green, where poppies bloom between grave crosses, the grasses whisper and sway slightly in the wind that gently sweeps over the burial ground.

On your cross - dead soldier - I don't find your name. Just numbers and somebody painted on it the number 1916  -  and you weren't even nineteen years old.

Yes, they lied to you too, just as they still do with us today. And you gave them everything - your strength, your youth, your life.

Did you, dead soldier, ever love a girl? Certainly not, because only where there is peace tenderness and trust can flourish. You were a soldier to die, not to be young. Maybe you thought: I am going to fall soon, take my pleasure as it comes, by force. You were determined to do this, but then you were ashamed of yourself and never did it. 

Soldier, did you go to your death in faith and willingly? Or were you desperate, bitter, brutalized and didn't recognize your real enemy until the end? I hope you got a clean shot. Or did a bullet tear your limbs apart? Did you scream for your mother until the end? Did you keep running on your stumps? And your grave, does it hold more than a leg, a hand? 

The only trace left of your life is the cross. But hear my oath. To fight for peace and be vigilant. Because - if humanity falls for lies one more time -  then soon it can happen, nobody will be alive to bury the billions of dead. 

But more and more people have long since found themselves ready to prevent this war.

It is Time!

A song for every ami!  

Enjolras: Radioactive by Imagine Dragons

Courfeyrac: High Hopes by Panic! at the Disco 

Combeferre: Bleeding Out by Imagine Dragons 

Jehan: Bus Stop by the Hollies 

Joly: Best Day of My Life by American Authors 

Grantaire: Zero by Imagine Dragons 

Bahorel: Ride by 21 Pilots

Feuilly: Cheap Thrills by Sia (I feel like this doesn’t really fit him but whatevs).  

Bossuet: This is the Life by Two Door Cinema Club 

Eponine: Goner by 21 Pilots 

Gavroche: Warriors by Imagine Dragons 

The lesson to be learned by this, children, is that I love Imagine Dragons. (I could have used more of their songs but I refrained from doing so). 

Four bonus songs: 

Remember You Young by Thomas Rhett 

Green Fields of France by Eric Bogle

On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons 

5:A song that needs to be played LOUD

10:A song that makes you sad

15:A song that is a cover by another artist

20: A song that has many meanings to you

25:A song by an artist no longer living

30:A song that reminds you of yourself

Tumblr won’t let me put up another video, so: By Myself by Mel Torme

Thanks for asking!