Waltzing Matilda

Waltzing Matilda

(Original Version)

(Modern version and word explanations below)

Swagman

Oh there was a swagman camped in the billabongs,
Under the shade of a Coolibah tree,
And he sang as he looked at the billy boiling,
"Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me."

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Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda, my darling,
Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me,
Waltzing Matilda and leading a water~bag,
Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me.

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Up came the jumbuck to drink at that waterhole,
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee,
And he sang as he put him away in his tucker~bag,
"You'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me."

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Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda, my darling,
Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me,
Waltzing Matilda and leading a water~bag,
Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me.

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Up came the squatter a~riding his thoroughbred,
Up came the policemen ~ one, two and three,
"Who's is the jumbuck you've got in the tucker~bag?"
You'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me.

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Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda, my darling,
Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me,
Waltzing Matilda and leading a water~bag,
Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me.

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Up sprang the swagman and jumped in the waterhole,
Drowning himself by the Coolibah tree,
And his voice can be heard as it sings in the billabongs,
"Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me."

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Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda, my darling,
Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me,
Waltzing Matilda and leading a water~bag,
Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me.

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Andrew Barton (Banjo) Paterson
1864 ~ 1941

Written ~ 1895
First Published ~ 1903
"Waltzing Matilda" was first published as sheet music.

Above words taken from copy of Original Manuscript, that I have purchased.

The actual Original Manuscript is property of Paterson Estate.

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Waltzing Matilda

(Modern Version)

Once a jolly swagman,
Camped by a billabong,
Under the shade of a Coolibah tree,
And he sang as he watched, and waited while his billy boiled,
"Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me?"

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Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda,
Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me,
And he sang as he watched, and waited while his billy boiled,
Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me.

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Up came a jumbuck to drink at that billabong,
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee,
And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag,
Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me.

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Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda,
Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me,
And he sang as he watched, and waited while his billy boiled,
Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me.

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Up rode the squatter mounted on his thoroughbred,
Up rode the Troopers, one, two, three,
Who's that jolly jumbuck that you got in your tucker bag,
You'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me.

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Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda,
Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me,
And he sang as he watched, and waited while his billy boiled,
Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me.

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Up jumped the swagman and dived into that waterhole,
You'll never catch me alive said he,
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong,
Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me.

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Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda,
Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me,
And he sang as he watched, and waited while his billy boiled,
Who'll come a~waltzing Matilda with me.

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This is the version that is so commonly known around the world,
as a uniquely Australian song.

It is sung anywhere that Australians may meet in the world as a group, and there probably would not be an Australian that does not know the words to this song.

I am unaware of who adapted the original version or an actual date when it was adapted. The words still belong to A. B. (Banjo) Paterson even though they may differ slightly, and it may be that he himself actually made the alterations at a later time. However I cannot find reference to that in his complete collection of works that I own.

There are also a number of adaptations that can be found, but the verses change very little and simply use the word "sprung" instead of "jumped", for example.

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Australian Words Used

Matilda : A name given to the bedroll usually carried by swagmen on their backs. As they were "attached" to their bedroll most of the time they were said to be "Dancing with Matilda."

Swagman : A tramp who would walk from place to place trying to seek work. He would carry all his belongings with him wrapped up in the bedroll called a swag. (Colloquially also "Matilda.")

Billy : Simply a tin can with a wire handle used for both carrying and boiling water. Some swagmen did not own water bags and simply carried a "billy" filled with water for their daily needs.

Water Bag : A hessian bag that was used to carry water. Much greater capacity than a billy, but also greater weight to carry all day.

Coolibah Tree : A native Australian tree that grows near rivers and other water courses or water holes.

Billabong : A waterhole that is caused when a river floods. Once the floods subside various waterholes remain that are no longer part of the actual flowing rivers, but remain filled with water.

Jumbuck : A young sheep or lamb.

Tucker Bag : A bag used to carry food, usually hessian. "Tucker" is Australian slang for food.

Squatter : Land Owner.

Troopers : Police

Shove : To push or force into

The words were written by A. B. Paterson and the music is from a traditional Scottish melody.

The song was first sung in the central Queensland town of Winton in the late 1890's.

There have been a number of calls to make this song Australia's National Anthem, and although very uniquely Australian and recognised world wide as such, I personally think it really is not suited as a National Anthem. A great song to play unofficially and for Australians to be recognised by, but hardly suited for a National Anthem.

It is after all simply about a sheep stealing thief who chooses to commit suicide by drowning rather than be caught by the law.

The main image above shows a typical swagman as he would have been in the late 19th century.

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"Waltzing Matilda"

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There Are Actually Two Versions Of The Music
For "Waltzing Matilda", But I Am Not Aware Which Is The Original
This Is The Version That Is Commonly Used.

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