Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport facts for kids
Quick facts for kids "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" |
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| Single by Rolf Harris | |
| B-side | "The Big Black Hat" |
| Released | 1960 |
| Recorded | 1960 |
| Genre | Folk/Pop |
| Length | 3:03 |
| Label | Epic, EMI Columbia |
| Songwriter(s) | Rolf Harris |
Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport is a famous song written by Australian singer Rolf Harris in 1957. It became a huge hit around the world in the 1960s. The song was released twice: first in 1960 in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, and then a new version in 1963 for the United States.
Rolf Harris was inspired by the calypso music of Harry Belafonte, especially a song called "The Jack-Ass Song." "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" tells the story of an Australian stockman (a cowboy) who is dying.
When Rolf Harris first recorded the song in 1960, he offered four unknown Australian musicians a share of the money it would make. But they thought the song wouldn't be popular. So, they chose to take a small payment of £28 instead of waiting for royalties.
Contents
How the Song Became Popular
The first recording of "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" was very successful. It reached the number one spot on the music charts in Australia. It was also a Top 10 hit in the United Kingdom in 1960.
In 1963, Rolf Harris recorded the song again in the UK. This time, a famous producer named George Martin helped him. This new version became even more popular in the United States. It reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also stayed at the top of the easy listening chart for three weeks in 1963.
Surprisingly, the song also did well on the US R&B chart, reaching number 19. In 2000, Harris recorded the song a third time with The Wiggles, a popular children's music group. In this version, they left out the introduction and the part about the stockman dying. Today, "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" is still a popular song for children.
Rolf Harris used a special instrument in his original recording. He called it the "wobble board." It was a large piece of hardboard that he designed himself. This gave the song its unique sound.
Other Versions of the Song
Many other artists have recorded "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport." Connie Francis included it on her 1966 album, Connie Francis and The Kids Next Door. Pat Boone also recorded his own version. The Brothers Four included their version on their "Greatest Hits" CD.
The Story Behind the Lyrics
The song starts with Rolf Harris speaking. He sets the scene for the story:
- There's an old Australian stockman, lying, dying,
- and he gets himself up on one elbow,
- and he turns to his mates,
- who are gathered 'round him and he says...
This opening is similar to an old Australian song called The Dying Stockman. That song was collected by Banjo Paterson and published in 1905.
In Rolf Harris's song, the dying stockman gives instructions to his friends. He wants them to take care of his things after he is gone. First, he asks them to watch his wallabies eat. Then, he asks them to tie his kangaroo down, because kangaroos jump around a lot. This is the main part of the song, the chorus.
The word "Sport" is an Australian way of talking to someone. It's like saying "good sport" and often means you appreciate someone doing a small favor for you. The song mentions many animals and things from Australia. These include cockatoos, koalas, platypuses, and didgeridoos.
The stockman's very last wish is to have his hide (skin) tanned after he dies. By the end of the song, the stockman has passed away. His friends have carried out his wish: "So we tanned his hide when he died, Clyde, and that's it hanging on the shed."
Song Variations and Appearances
Many different versions and parodies of the song exist. Rolf Harris performed parts of some of these on a live album in 1969. It was called Rolf Harris Live at the Talk of the Town.
He even recorded a version with The Beatles! This happened on December 18, 1963, for a BBC TV show. In that version, each Beatle was mentioned in the lyrics. It was shown on TV on December 26.
The song was also performed by Elvis Costello in a TV show. He sang it in a 2003 episode of Frasier. Elvis Costello played a character named Ben, and he sang the song while Niles Crane's character played maracas.
A Controversial Verse
An early version of the song had a verse that caused problems. This verse used a word that is now considered very offensive to Aboriginal Australians. This verse is not found in modern versions of the song. In an interview in 2006, Rolf Harris said he regretted that the original lyrics included this offensive word.
Commonwealth Games Performance
Rolf Harris sang "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" at a big event. He performed it during the Opening Ceremony of the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia. For this special event, he wrote a new verse of lyrics:
- Can I welcome you to the Games, friends,
- Welcome you to the Games,
- Look, I don't know all your names, friends,
- But let me welcome you all to the Games.
