And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda the younger generation becomes apathetic to the veterans and their cause. At its conclusion, the song incorporates the melody and a few lines of lyrics of the 1895 song "Waltzing Matilda" by Australian poet Banjo Paterson. Many cover versions of the song have been performed and recorded, as well as many versions in foreign languages. The song is an account of the memories of an old Australian man who, as a youngster had travelled across rural Australia with a swag (the so-called Matilda of the title) and tent. In 1915 he had joined the Australian armed forces and been sent
Matilda (song) the song in 1962 as "Twistin Matilda, (And the Channel)", which changed the lyrics of the verses as well as the chorus to: "She took the money and ran off to Las Vegas." The song hit number 22 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 Charts. Allan Sherman recorded a variation of the song in his first album, 1962's "My Son, the Folk Singer", and put a Jewish-sounding spin on it, including asking portions of his audience (such as "Members of Hadassah") to sing along: Sherman got sued from the estates of the writer of the song, for not asking permission beforehand,