Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport
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| “Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport” | ||
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| Single by Rolf Harris | ||
| Released | 1963 | |
| Writer(s) | Rolf Harris | |
"Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" is a song written by Rolf Harris in 1957 which became a hit across the world in the 1960s. Inspired by Harry Belafonte's calypsos, it is about an Australian stockman on his deathbed. The song is one of the best known and most successful Australian songs.
Rolf Harris offered four unknown backing musicians 10 percent of the royalties for the song, but they decided to take a recording fee of 28 pounds between them because they thought the song would be a flop[1]
The recording of the song, with Rolf Harris, peaked at Billboard position #3 in 1963. Harris re-recorded it along with The Wiggles in 2005. It is still popular today as a children's song.
The distinctive sound of Harris's original recording was achieved by the use of an instrument of his own design called the "wobble board", actually a two by three foot piece of Masonite[2].
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[edit] The story of the song
The Stockman instructs his friend to take care of his affairs. The first of these is to watch his wallabies feed, then to tie his kangaroo down, since they jump around. "Sport" is an Australian term of address, alluding to "good sport", which often, as in this case, proactively praises someone for carrying out a small favour you are asking of them. His last wish is to "Tan me hide when I'm dead, Fred".
[edit] Controversial lyrics
The fourth verse was removed circa 1960, because of its use of the word Abo, a now offensive slang term for Aboriginal Australians, and because of its implied racist context. The lyrics of this verse (not found on Rolf Harris' official website) are as follows:
Let me Abos go loose, Lou
Let me Abos go loose
They're of no further use, Lou
So let me Abos go loose.
The verse appears to make light of Aboriginal servitude and captivity in that the stockman emancipated his captives only at his death, when they were "of no further use" to him (compare George Washington's manumission of his slaves by will rather than during his lifetime). In addition, because the rest of the song refers to animals in captivity, some listeners might infer a comparison of Indigenous Australians to animals or their characterization as subhuman. The offending verse did not feature in later versions of the song. In 2006 Harris expressed his regret about the original lyrics [3].
[edit] Cultural influences
It was used in the debut episode of The Goodies television show; when Graeme flicks the window to show Sydney Harbour Bridge, "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" is the accompanying music. The trio are visibly averse to the song, with Bill crying "Turn it off!"
Nicole Kidman sings the song while playing with Philip the "Hyper Hypo" (as played by Mike Myers) in a popular Saturday Night Live sketch.
[edit] Other
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In late 2000 KORN of Columbus, IN began playing this nonstop. This was the beginning of a new station, Korn Country, on 102.9FM. Between each iteration of the song a short commercial was played, saying they had no money for more songs, no staff, etc. This station was very popular while repeating this song over and over. Disappointment was felt by many people when it turned out to be a country station. People were hoping for a classic rock station to replace 93.1FM which had switched formats to poprock just before. The song played continuously for about six weeks.
On March 8, 2007, KRVI of Fargo, North Dakota began repeatedly playing the song nonstop as a stunt between changing formats, until March 12, 2007.
On September 21, 2007, at 5:00pm, the station KXLP 93.1FM in Mankato, MN began playing this song continuously after it moved to 94.1. Commercials airing between iterations of the song state that a new station will begin on September 24, at noon.
[edit] References
- ^ Did you know... page 18 "Westside News", February 20, 2008 — Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- ^ Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport at Time.com, retrieved on 3/14/2008.
- ^ Rolf's lyrics 'a sign of the times'
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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2007) |
[edit] External links
Full lyrics available at
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