“The Band played Waltzing Matilda” is a song written by Eric Bogle. The song details the journey of a young Australian Boy, blissful and worry free in a world of no pain and hardship, who is taken from the golden shores of Australia to the bloody mountain ranges of War. The Man loses his legs in a battle and his forced into what can be considered fraction of a quality life. The man wishes he could have his legs back, and waltz once again. The man reflects, and wishes he were dead for the horror and hardships he has faced are innumerable. He talks about the reaction of the people as the Australian “Heroes” came home beat up and defeated, they had seen the true face of war. In summary the song is about the Australian heroes who left for Gallipoli and came back destroyed and beaten.
