Book Review: Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport

New Children’s Picture Book of the Classic Rolf Harris Stockman Song

Nov 11, 2008

Rolf Harris has presented his classic Australian stockman lament first recorded in 1960 in a picture book for children illustrated with his own paintings.

Iconic Australian singer, artist and entertainer Rolf Harris holds a special place in the hearts and memories of several generations of Australians and his many fans in the UK, Canada and the US. With the release of a children’s picture book of his famous song Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport (Scholastic Australia, 2008), Harris will no doubt secure a new generation of fans.

A Well-Known Australian Outback Song

Along with the classic favourites Two Little Boys, Six White Boomers and Jake the Peg, Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport is one of Harris’ best known and loved songs. The recent release of this old stockman song has been updated in a beautifully illustrated picture book edition for children.

Illustrated with paintings by Rolf Harris, the book captures the image of the dry, dusty Australian outback as the old stockman is “lying, dying” and imparting his final instructions to his mates. The painting for each verse illustrates the story, while Harris himself appears in the chorus illustrations, trying to rope a “big red” kangaroo.

To add further appeal, Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport is accompanied by a DVD recording with both an audio track and music video of Harris performing the song, complete with wobble-board.

Rolf Harris

The word “unique” is often used with disregard for its true definition. In the case of Rolf Harris, it can be used in the fullest sense of the word. Born in Perth in Western Australia, Harris has achieved international recognition for both his music and paintings and skills as an entertainer.

For many, images of Harris wielding a house paint brush to deftly create expressive and often comic images, remain as much a part of the entertainer’s persona as the distinctive woop, woop sound of the wobble-board he created to accompany his songs. So strongly is the sound associated with the image of Australia that Baz Luhrmann has included Harris’ wobble-board in the soundtrack for the opening credits of his new epic movie Australia.

Harris’ musical ability and prowess as an entertainer have earned him recognition both in Australia and the UK. He has been awarded with a CBE and is a member of the Order of Australia. He was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame in 2008.

Harris’ artistic ability is also well acknowledged, with paintings exhibited in London’s National Gallery. He has painted a portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth, to commemorate her 80th birthday, and the TV programme The Queen, by Rolf detailing that experience, screened to a record breaking viewing audience on BBC One in 2006. His UK television program Rolf on Art made TV history when it gained the highest ever ratings for an art programme.

A Veteran Entertainer Reaches a New Generation

Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport captures the spirit of the Australian outback and is sure to rekindle childhood memories of hearing the song for many parents of young children. The book ably demonstrates the talent that has enabled Harris to remain successful in the entertainment industry for such a prolonged period of time.

The copyright of the article Book Review: Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport in Australian Literature is owned by Susan Whelan. Permission to republish Book Review: Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.