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[thatsnotaknife]

[There's a low, pleased sounding hum over the phone line one morning. Then a chuckle. Australia is obviously amused by something and then he starts to sing:]

Once a jolly swagman camped by the billabong,
Under the shade of a Coolibah tree,
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled,
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me!

[He

Comments

[notmiddleearth]

You're probs the only one that missed it mate. [Chuckling]

[thatsnotaknife]

Well, I know you hang on my every word, babe!

[notmiddleearth]

Nah, think ya got me confused with Sam. He's probs the only one that pays you any attention.

[thatsnotaknife]

You're shitting me, right? Sam doesn't listen to fuck all I say.

[the_wee_big_hag]

Oh, you have your ear back now?

[thatsnotaknife]

Yeah! Good as new.

[the_wee_big_hag]

Good to hear that.

How have you been doing after all the chaos last week?

[thatsnotaknife]

Alright, alright! I kept out of it. You, love?

[thatsnotaknife]

Yeah, got my ear back! Took 'em months...

[thatsnotaknife]

[The best kind of drink is the one you don't have to pay for!] Ripper! You beaut, it's a deal.

[pasodoble]

( ( This song sounds like English. He's pretty sure it's English. At least, he thought it was until it started to get strange. ) )

. . . Was that English?

( ( He didn't know England taught his family anything other than, well, English. ) )

Hover over individual words for translations.

[thatsnotaknife]

It was Australian!

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda,
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me,
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me!

Down came a jumbuck to drink at that billabong
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee,
And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

crying. i shouldn't need translations if it's english.

[pasodoble]

( ( You know, after centuries, his English is really pretty good but this really is like something else to him. Maybe it's the telephone. He holds it away from his ear, taps it, and studies it a bit before he realizes the song is over, ) )

I see. So this Matilda is a very special person. . . ?

It's Australian!

[thatsnotaknife]

Ah, nah- Well, she is! But in the song, it's just another word for swag. I mean a bag. "Waltzing Matilda" means travelling around with just the bag on your back.

[wybrows]

I told ya not to sing in public--oh, ya finally got your ear back?

But don't sing in public.

[thatsnotaknife]

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda,
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me,
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled
You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me!

[wybrows]

I hope Sam bites your ear off!

[thatsnotaknife]

Oh, come on! Take a chill pill, sweetheart. You're named after one of the best songs ever, be proud! Sing along! Now!