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Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport
Rolf Harris Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

There's an old Australian stockman lying, dying
And he gets himself up onto one elbow and he turns to his mates
Who are all gathered around and he says

Watch me wallabies feed, mate
Watch me wallabies feed
They're a dangerous breed, mate
So watch me wallabies feed
Altogether now!

Tie me kangaroo down, sport
Tie me kangaroo down
Tie me kangaroo down, sport
Tie me kangaroo down

Keep me cockatoo cool, Curl
Keep me cockatoo cool
Ah, don't go acting the fool, Curl
Just keep me cockatoo cool
Altogether now!

Tie me kangaroo down, sport
Tie me kangaroo down
Tie me kangaroo down, sport
Tie me kangaroo down

'N' take me koala back, Jack
Take me koala back
He lives somewhere out on the track, Mac
So take me koala back
Altogether now!

Tie me kangaroo down, sport
Tie me kangaroo down
Tie me kangaroo down, sport
Tie me kangaroo down

And mind me platypus duck, Bill
Mind me platypus duck
Ah, don't let 'im go running amok, Bill
Just mind me platypus duck
Altogether now!

Tie me kangaroo down, sport
Tie me kangaroo down
Tie me kangaroo down, sport
Tie me kangaroo down

Play your didgeridoo, Blue
Play your didgeridoo
Ah, like, keep playin' 'til I shoot through, Blue
Play your didgeridoo
Altogether now!

Tie me kangaroo down, sport
Tie me kangaroo down
Tie me kangaroo down, sport
Tie me kangaroo down

Tan me hide when I'm dead, Fred
Tan me hide when I'm dead
So we tanned his hide when he died, Clyde
And that's it hangin' on the shed!
Altogether now!

Tie me kangaroo down, sport
Tie me kangaroo down
Tie me kangaroo down, sport
Tie me kangaroo down

Overall Meaning

The song 'Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport' performed by Rolf Harris showcases the liveliness and humor that can be found in Australian bush ballads. The lyrics describe the last requests of an Australian stockman as he is dying. The stockman asks his mates to watch his wallabies feed (as they can be dangerous), keep his cockatoo cool, take his koala back (who lives somewhere out on the track), mind his platypus duck (so that it does not go running amok) and play the didgeridoo until the stockman is no more. The stockman even humorously requests that his hide be tanned after he is dead.


The song is catchy, humorous and paints a picture of Australian wildlife and culture. It is a representation of the irreverent and jovial aspects of the Australian spirit. Harris originally wrote the song in 1957 and it was an instant hit, becoming a signature tune in his performances. It has been covered by several artists and has been referenced in popular culture, solidifying its place in the iconic Australian songbook.


Line by Line Meaning

There's an old Australian stockman lying, dying
An elderly stockman is on his death bed and about to pass away.


And he gets himself up onto one elbow and he turns to his mates
He lifts himself up and speaks to his friends who are gathered around him.


Watch me wallabies feed, mate
Take a look at how I feed my wallabies, my friend.


Watch me wallabies feed
Observe how I give food to the wallabies.


They're a dangerous breed, mate
Wallabies can be hazardous animals.


So watch me wallabies feed
Pay close attention to how I handle these creatures.


Tie me kangaroo down, sport
Secure my kangaroo, my sporty friend.


Tie me kangaroo down
Tie the kangaroo to a post or a fence so it won't run away.


Keep me cockatoo cool, Curl
Please make sure my cockatoo stays cool, Curl.


Ah, don't go acting the fool, Curl
Don't be foolish, Curl, and keep the cockatoo comfortable.


Just keep me cockatoo cool
Maintain a cool environment for the bird.


'N' take me koala back, Jack
Retrieve my koala for me, Jack.


Take me koala back
Bring the koala to me so I can take care of it.


He lives somewhere out on the track, Mac
The koala resides somewhere outside on the path or trail, Mac.


So take me koala back
So please bring back the koala to me.


And mind me platypus duck, Bill
Please watch over my platypus duck, Bill.


Mind me platypus duck
Make sure my platypus duck is safe and sound.


Ah, don't let 'im go running amok, Bill
Don't allow him to run wild, Bill.


Just mind me platypus duck
Take good care of the duck-like animal for me.


Play your didgeridoo, Blue
Go ahead and play your traditional aboriginal instrument, Blue.


Ah, like, keep playin' 'til I shoot through, Blue
Play until I leave this mortal world, Blue.


Tie me kangaroo down, sport
Restrain my kangaroo, my athletic friend.


Tan me hide when I'm dead, Fred
Tan my skin once I'm gone, Fred.


So we tanned his hide when he died, Clyde
When he passed away, we tanned his skin, Clyde.


And that's it hangin' on the shed!
And that's the end result displayed in the shed.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROLF HARRIS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@pat_zoo_posting2618

My neighbours love this song so much they threw a brick into my window so they could hear it better

@marywilson8834

😊

@TheBuzz222

I got this song in my head Fred, I got this song in my head, it will be there till I'm dead Fred, it'll be there till I'm dead.

@TheBuzz222

@morton christie Thank you for setting me strait. Fred is Ned.

@SgtRock57

🤣🤣😂😂😂😂👍🏾👍🏾

@TATASPIDER

Truth to that!

@pageluvva

Ha Ha, I like what you did there 👏😂👏

@nonyodambiz

Altogether now,
Tie me kangaroo down, sport
Tie me kangaroo down
Tie me kangaroo down, sport
Tie me kangaroo down

9 More Replies...

@doloresm7396

When I was five my dad used to sing this to me. Now, after 58 years I know why. He nick named me Blue. Wow, after all those years I never knew why I knew this song. This is the first time I have listened to this since I was a child. Miss you dad.

@riverfallscory

Dolores M your dad had an interesting taste in music. What else did he like do you remember?

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