“The Band Played Waltzing Matilda” was written by Scottish-born Australian folk singer-songwriter, Eric Bogle in 1971. I originally looked into this song simply based on the name. I enjoy the song “Waltzing Matilda,” especially Slim Dusty’s rendition, and so I was very curious to see what this song was about, and how it connected to “Waltzing Matilda.” 

          This song is a commentary on the horrors of warfare, specifically illustrated through the perspective of a young Australian soldier who becomes terribly injured during World War I. It is a socially critical song that criticizes the gruesome violence and damage that is an inevitable result of human conflict. The lyrics are poetic, yet still direct and clear as it tells a specific story.

Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnFzCmAyOp8