Banjo Patterson

 

Once a jolly swagman camped by a Billabong Under the shade of a Coolabah tree And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled "Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?" Up came a jumbuck to drink from the Billabong Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him in glee And he sang as he stuffed that jumbuck in his tucker bag "You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me'". Up rode the Squatter mounted on his thoroughbred Up rode the Troopers -- one, two, three "Where's that jolly jumbuck that you've got in your tucker bag?", "You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me". Up jumped the swagman and leaped into the Billabong "You'll never catch me alive" said he, And his ghost may be heard as you pass by the Billabong, "Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?

History... This ultra-classic Australian poem -- first written in 1895 at the Dagworth station in the Australian state of Queensland -- has seen many versions over the years. The preceding poem is one example of many familliar versions. The following is the original version, first appearing in the book 'Saltbush Bill J.P. and Other Verses', published in 1917....

Once a jolly swagman camped by a Billabong Under the shade of a Coolabah tree And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled "Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?" Down come a jumbuck to drink at the water hole Up jumped a swagman and grabbed him in glee And he sang as he stowed him away in his tucker bag "You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me". Up rode the Squatter a riding his thoroughbred Up rode the Trooper -- one, two, three "Where's that jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?", "You'll come a-waltzing Matiltda with me". But the swagman he up and jumped in the water hole Drowning himself by the Coolabah tree, And his ghost may be heard as it sings in the Billabong, "Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?"

Notes... Waltzing Matilda -- to roam around on foot as a drifter with a swag, doing odd jobs to get by. Matilda is a reference to the swag carried by a swagman. Swag -- a large bedroll (often covered with canvas) either carried over the shoulders or on your back, or these days, strapped to the top of your five tonne Toyota LandCruiser 4WD. A swag is like your tent and your sleeping bag rolled into one. They are still often used in the bush today for their ease of setup (undo the straps and roll it out) and their durability in the desert -- where a sandstorm would rip a nylon tent to shreds in a matter of minutes. Swagman -- Someone who waltzes Matilda. Billabong -- a waterhole which appears in the Northern area of Australia during the dry season -- most rivers dry up, but billabongs are left over in some areas. Billy -- a metal can which can be suspended over a fire to boil water to make tea or food. Jumbuck -- a lamb. Tuckerbag -- Tucker is food, and a tuckerbag is a top secret weapon being developed by NASA to invade the enormous and lovely-smelling fortresses of the women of Venus. Squatter -- someone who has set up a sheep or cattle station (ranch) in the early days of Australian settlement. Trooper -- a police officer.

Absolute Design | Dave Laird | Poetry | Waltzing Matilda

Updated: 10/16-00