Camping By The Billabong
Too much curiosity can have consequences. (359 words)15 total reviews
Comment from DragonSkulls
Just gave you your tying vote. Great little piece you have penned, Lisa. Lol. Best of luck. Blah blah blah blah blah. Is that enough words now. Lol.
=]
Ron
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2022
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Just gave you your tying vote. Great little piece you have penned, Lisa. Lol. Best of luck. Blah blah blah blah blah. Is that enough words now. Lol.
=]
Ron
Comment Written 18-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2022
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Thanks Ron... it just snuck me ahead a bit into 2nd. I appreciate your support!
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Well, that's some BS. There was a 3 way tie for first when I voted. What a rip. Oh well, second's better than nothing.
=]
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White Feather snuck ahead by a vote.
Comment from Michele Harber
Would you believe "Waltzing Matilda" is a children's song in the US? Of course, most children's songs are terrifying if you actually listen to the words. Thank you for the "translation" of the song. A one who speaks "American English," I probably didn't know what every third word meant.
Your story is interesting, although I knew, as soon as she started walking towards the billabong, that she was a goner. (Curiosity killed the cat, after all.) However, the detail you provided, plus the explanation of the song, did keep my attention.
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2022
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Would you believe "Waltzing Matilda" is a children's song in the US? Of course, most children's songs are terrifying if you actually listen to the words. Thank you for the "translation" of the song. A one who speaks "American English," I probably didn't know what every third word meant.
Your story is interesting, although I knew, as soon as she started walking towards the billabong, that she was a goner. (Curiosity killed the cat, after all.) However, the detail you provided, plus the explanation of the song, did keep my attention.
Comment Written 17-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2022
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I'd heard that Waltzing Matilda was internationally popular... its origins are from an English folk song of the 1700's.
In my story, did you think the crocodile spirit was going to get her? But it was the swagman's ghost in the end. Jesse freaked out in his review that i was awful for having her killed by a crocodile, but I hadn't.
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I hadn't actually contemplated which, if either, spirit was going to get her. I merely knew, beyond a doubt, that she was going to fall into the billabong (not a word most Americans regularly use in conversation!) and drown.
Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose
Outstanding entry for the Supernatural Fiction - Not Horror writing prompt contest. Liked the nineteenth-century bush ballad story
You followed the rules well. Good luck in the contest.
Gypsy
Outstanding entry for the Supernatural Fiction - Not Horror writing prompt contest. I thought of Fez, a fanstorian from Australia. He told many aboriginal stories.
You followed the rules well. Good luck in the contest.
Gypsy
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Outstanding entry for the Supernatural Fiction - Not Horror writing prompt contest. Liked the nineteenth-century bush ballad story
You followed the rules well. Good luck in the contest.
Gypsy
Outstanding entry for the Supernatural Fiction - Not Horror writing prompt contest. I thought of Fez, a fanstorian from Australia. He told many aboriginal stories.
You followed the rules well. Good luck in the contest.
Gypsy
Comment Written 17-Jan-2022
Comment from Rosemary Everson1
these stories sure have a twist at the end. Some like ghost or spirits and welcome them with open arms. The girl in the story liked them, too, but they got her in the end.
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2022
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these stories sure have a twist at the end. Some like ghost or spirits and welcome them with open arms. The girl in the story liked them, too, but they got her in the end.
Comment Written 17-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 18-Jan-2022
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Thanks for reviewing!
Comment from lyenochka
Oh my! I had no idea that was the story behind that famous song. We learned it as kids! And I had to look up and listen to the "real" anthem. Well, seems like the song came alive and took an American "sheep." Thanks for all the Aussie facts!
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Oh my! I had no idea that was the story behind that famous song. We learned it as kids! And I had to look up and listen to the "real" anthem. Well, seems like the song came alive and took an American "sheep." Thanks for all the Aussie facts!
Comment Written 17-Jan-2022
Comment from Pantygynt
Thanks for the copious notes about this famous song. What you failed to mention was that the tune was originally an English folk song from the 1700s. You can listen to it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOVQWjW-R64
or read it here:
Marching Through Rochester
A bold fusilier came marching back through Rochester
Off from the wars in the north country,
And he sang as he marched
Through the crowded streets of Rochester,
`Who'll be a soldier for Marlboro and me?'
Who'll be a soldier? Who'll be a soldier?
Who'll be a soldier for Marlboro and me?
And he sang as he marched
Through the crowded streets of Rochester,
`Who'll be a soldier for Marlboro and me?'
The Queen, she has ordered new troops onto the continent
To strike a last blow at the enemy.
And if you would be a soldier
All in a scarlet uniform
Take the King's shilling for Marlboro and me.
Take the King's shilling. Take the King's shilling.
Take the King's shilling for Marlboro and me.
And if you would be a soldier
All in a scarlet uniform
Take the King's shilling for Marlboro and me.
`Not I,'' said the butcher, ``Nor I,' said the baker.
Most of the rest with them did agree.
To be paid with the powder and
The rattle of the cannonball
Wages for soldiers for Marlboro and me.
Wages for soldiers, wages for soldiers,
Wages for soldiers for Marlboro and me.
To be paid with the powder and
The rattle of the cannonball
Wages for soldiers for Marlboro and me.
`Now I,' said the young man, `have oft endured the parish queue.
There is no wages or employment for me.
Salvation or danger,
That'll be my destiny.
To be a soldier for Marlboro and me.'
To be a soldier, to be a soldier,
To be a soldier for Marlboro and me.
Salvation or danger,
That'll be my destiny.
To be a soldier for Marlboro and me.
Now twenty new recruits came marching back through Rochester
Off to the wars in the north country.
And they sang as they marched
Through the crowded streets of Rochester,
`Who'll be a soldier for Marlboro and me?'
Who'll be a soldier, who'll be a soldier,
Who'll be a soldier for Marlboro and me?
And they sang as they marched
Through the crowded streets of Rochester,
`Who'll be a soldier for Marlboro and me?'
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2022
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Thanks for the copious notes about this famous song. What you failed to mention was that the tune was originally an English folk song from the 1700s. You can listen to it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOVQWjW-R64
or read it here:
Marching Through Rochester
A bold fusilier came marching back through Rochester
Off from the wars in the north country,
And he sang as he marched
Through the crowded streets of Rochester,
`Who'll be a soldier for Marlboro and me?'
Who'll be a soldier? Who'll be a soldier?
Who'll be a soldier for Marlboro and me?
And he sang as he marched
Through the crowded streets of Rochester,
`Who'll be a soldier for Marlboro and me?'
The Queen, she has ordered new troops onto the continent
To strike a last blow at the enemy.
And if you would be a soldier
All in a scarlet uniform
Take the King's shilling for Marlboro and me.
Take the King's shilling. Take the King's shilling.
Take the King's shilling for Marlboro and me.
And if you would be a soldier
All in a scarlet uniform
Take the King's shilling for Marlboro and me.
`Not I,'' said the butcher, ``Nor I,' said the baker.
Most of the rest with them did agree.
To be paid with the powder and
The rattle of the cannonball
Wages for soldiers for Marlboro and me.
Wages for soldiers, wages for soldiers,
Wages for soldiers for Marlboro and me.
To be paid with the powder and
The rattle of the cannonball
Wages for soldiers for Marlboro and me.
`Now I,' said the young man, `have oft endured the parish queue.
There is no wages or employment for me.
Salvation or danger,
That'll be my destiny.
To be a soldier for Marlboro and me.'
To be a soldier, to be a soldier,
To be a soldier for Marlboro and me.
Salvation or danger,
That'll be my destiny.
To be a soldier for Marlboro and me.
Now twenty new recruits came marching back through Rochester
Off to the wars in the north country.
And they sang as they marched
Through the crowded streets of Rochester,
`Who'll be a soldier for Marlboro and me?'
Who'll be a soldier, who'll be a soldier,
Who'll be a soldier for Marlboro and me?
And they sang as they marched
Through the crowded streets of Rochester,
`Who'll be a soldier for Marlboro and me?'
Comment Written 15-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2022
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Haha... Good on you for sticking up for its English origins. If it were Welsh I guess you'd be even more indignant! I did discover that information when I checked the background of the song and tune, but the notes were already so copious I just kept to the Aussie relevance.
Comment from nancy_e_davis
Thank you for posting the lyric's for the song, Lisa. I always wanted to know what it was all about. Good job on the poem. Nancy:)
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Thank you for posting the lyric's for the song, Lisa. I always wanted to know what it was all about. Good job on the poem. Nancy:)
Comment Written 15-Jan-2022
Comment from Father Flaps
Hi Lisa,
I really enjoyed your story, a super entry for the Supernatural Fiction contest! You based it on that well-known song, "Waltzing Matilda". I've heard it before, many times, but never understood it at all. I had no idea it was about the theft of a sheep. Nor did I realize that the "swagman" jumped into the "billabong" to escape capture, yet he drowned. And his ghost still haunts the place! I guess I just enjoyed the music more than understanding the story behind it. Poor Janet fell into the "swell" of the swagman. He got her, and dragged her under. She drowned just because curiosity sometimes kills.
I'll never listen to that song the same anymore. It's a terrific folktale! And your story fed off it very well indeed. Your author notes and words of the Aussie song helped so much to understand things better. Very well done! Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Kimbob
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Hi Lisa,
I really enjoyed your story, a super entry for the Supernatural Fiction contest! You based it on that well-known song, "Waltzing Matilda". I've heard it before, many times, but never understood it at all. I had no idea it was about the theft of a sheep. Nor did I realize that the "swagman" jumped into the "billabong" to escape capture, yet he drowned. And his ghost still haunts the place! I guess I just enjoyed the music more than understanding the story behind it. Poor Janet fell into the "swell" of the swagman. He got her, and dragged her under. She drowned just because curiosity sometimes kills.
I'll never listen to that song the same anymore. It's a terrific folktale! And your story fed off it very well indeed. Your author notes and words of the Aussie song helped so much to understand things better. Very well done! Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Kimbob
Comment Written 15-Jan-2022
Comment from Mary Vigasin
An excellent story for of the supernatural using folklore, the explanation of Australian words to advance the story and tie it to the fate of the tourist.
Thank you for the notes explaining Waltzing Matilda. I did not have a clue as to its meaning.
I enjoyed the story.
Best wishes,
Mary
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An excellent story for of the supernatural using folklore, the explanation of Australian words to advance the story and tie it to the fate of the tourist.
Thank you for the notes explaining Waltzing Matilda. I did not have a clue as to its meaning.
I enjoyed the story.
Best wishes,
Mary
Comment Written 15-Jan-2022
Comment from Wils
As an Aussie living in the US I am often asked to explain many Australian terms and despite my best effort it results in a lot more puzzlement. "Why do you call it a billabong and not a lake?"
Australia definitely has a language of its own but it's one we're proud of. Thanks for a little bit of Down Under. Your story made me homesick.
Geoff
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2022
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As an Aussie living in the US I am often asked to explain many Australian terms and despite my best effort it results in a lot more puzzlement. "Why do you call it a billabong and not a lake?"
Australia definitely has a language of its own but it's one we're proud of. Thanks for a little bit of Down Under. Your story made me homesick.
Geoff
Comment Written 15-Jan-2022
reply by the author on 15-Jan-2022
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Gidday Geoff. Thanks for the rave review! I've lived in New Zealand for forty years, but being Australian is embedded in me, just like it is in you.
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Hoping to get home this year if WA open their borders. Here's hoping!!
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WA is being firm about their border and keeping infection numbers down, just like NZ. Good luck with your trip!
