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
Tucker bag leather or oilskin. The term tucker bag appears in a number of traditional Australian songs and poems, including the lyrics in "Waltzing Matilda" "Whose is that jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?", reflecting the tucker bag's place in Australian culture and history. The title of the song itself derives from the way a tucker bag swayed to-and-fro on a swagman's back as he walked along, who was said to be out "waltzing Matilda", i.e., the tucker bag. In more modern times, tucker bags have become associated with reusable grocery bags used when shopping or traveling. Modern bags are typically