Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport
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Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport was a song by Rolf Harris which became a hit across the world and the United States in the 1960s.
It is about an Australian stockman who, on his deathbed, instructs his friend to take care of this affairs. The first of these is to tie his kangaroo down, since they jump around. "Sport" is a slang term for a friend. His last wish is to "Tan me hide when I'm dead, Fred".
The song is one of the best known and most successful Australian songs after Waltzing Matilda. It peaked at Billboard position #3 in 1963. It is still popular today as a children's song.
The second to last verse was removed circa 1960, and has since been apologised for by Rolf Harris, due to its use of the word Abo; an offensive slang term for Australian Aborigines. The lyrics of this verse (not found on Rolf Harris' official website) are as follows:
Let me Abos go loose, Bruce
Let me Abos go loose
They're of no further use, Bruce
So let me Abos go loose.
[edit] External links
Full lyrics available at http://www.rolfharris.com/music/lyrics_tieme.htm