Waltz Sangakkara (original)

Here's one for you Sri Lankan cricket fans:

The CricInfo commentary for the Hobart Test on 16-20th November 2007 ended with "It was absolutely fabulicious knock from Sangakkara. A shame it had to end the way it did, but grab the dvd. There were some breathtaking shots, some improvised, some traditional and some out of this world. He moved outside leg, walked towards off, waltzed down the track and indulged himself in the middle."

So I typed out some lyrics that reflected the innings and went to the tune of the OZ anthem "Waltzing Matilda". Sangakarra's innings not only had the beauty of a Waltz, but it was also a lone brave journey where he carried his team on his back - something which meets well with the Australian meaning of 'Waltzing' as per the song.

I'm using the phrase "Waltz Sangakkara" to mean 'show some fight, courage, heart and determination despite a bleak outlook.' It's the best characteristic of test cricket and something I hope to see more from Sri Lanka. Perhaps singing this song at the ground will inspire them hah :-)

Go on.. sing along! You know you want to! You're probably a better singer than I am, so post videos of your versions as responses! I'd love to hear a 'baila' version of this haha! Maybe you can translate it into Sinhalese or Tamil..

LYRICS:-
Verse 1:
Once upon a test match, that many said was long-a-gone
Under the sun of a hostile Aussie
A man sang as he watched and waited till the bowler bowled
"Who'll come a-Waltz Sangakkara with me?"

Verse 2:
Down came Stuey Clark to send him back to the shed,
Down waltzed sanga and smacked him with glee,
And he sang as he watched that red ball sail across the fence
"You'll come a-Waltz Sangakkara, with me".

Chorus 1:
Waltz Sangakkara, Waltz Sangakkara
Don't stop ya-Waltz Sangakkara, today
Who's that trundling in - just hit him for a six or four
Don't stop ya-Waltz Sangakkara, today.

Verse 3:
Down across the wicket, things weren't going oh so well,
Out went the batsmen, one, two, three,
But Sanga stayed and fought back, while the team fell all around
Who'll come a-Waltz Sangakkara, with him.

Chorus 2:
Waltz Sangakkara, Waltz Sangakkara
Don't stop ya-Waltz Sangakkara, today
All alone you might well be, but fight on till the day is done
Don't stop ya-Waltz Sangakkara, today

Verse 4:
Up came a boucer and hit him on shoulder but,
"You'll waltz no more" said the umpire Rudi
And his cause may be lost but forever will this game be known
Who'll come a-Waltz Sangakkara today?

(Repeat Chorus 3)

Stereo version available http://odeo.com/audio/17630673/view