Maybe I should post this in Drunken Ramblings.
When I was a lot younger and home-ported out of Atsugi Japan, there was an old Japanese bar that I frequented often one winter. The "mamasan" was ancient and the place was very comforting. When I walked in the door the warmth and odor of a kerosene heater met you.
I would walk up to the bar and order a bull of ramen, a simple soup of noodles, and a beer. The place was never crowded. There was a jukebox filled full of old songs. I wish I had that jukebox now. The songs were outdated by many years but it was a box full of treasures. One of the songs I fell in love with was Waltzing Matilda.
Three or four years later in 1988, I married my first wife, a beautiful Australian girl - 12 year marriage.
The marriage was in Western Australia in a town called Cottesloe, close to Perth. We were married in an old majestic Anglican chapel. Every man had on a tuxedo and the women wore beautiful dresses.
Before the wedding my soon to be father in law told me I needed to give a speech.. What?? He wanted to help me write it, I said no worries I will. By the time I had to give the speech hadn't written a thing. So I thanked the new in-laws, made claim of love to my new bride and rambled a bit; it was over in about 30 seconds. When it was over I was happy albeit humiliated by my lack of words.
After the other speeches were given we had dinner. It was delicious. My father in law who owned a winery at the time provided great wine.
The night progressed. Came time for the newlywed dance. What did they play? Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda come dancing with me...
I was going to post the same version tonight but can't find it. The same song as I'd heard it at the old bar and at my reception are a romantic version of the original. The melody I'm familiar with is what gets posted. To bad it is so short.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQBlnwrffAg&feature=related