Waltzing Matilda

This song is Australian's unoffical National Anthem

Lyrics by A.B. Paterson

Just for information:

Waltzing Matilda has almost become Australia's national identity.  If you hear Waltzing Matilda an Aussie is involved somewhere along the way

Jumbuck is an Australian  slang word for sheep

Squatter in this instance means landowner

Billabong means drinking spot or pool in an intermittent stream

Because of the very dry conditions in out-back Australia, streams and rivers can often become dry leaving only a few water-holes where stock are able to drink

This tune is a traditional Scottish Melody and the words are by A. B. Paterson who is generally referred to as Banjo Paterson.  Banjo is one of our favorite poets.

WALTZING MATILDA

                                       Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong,

                                             Under the shade of a Coolibah tree,

                              And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boil,

                                          You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda,

You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me,

And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boil

You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

....................

Down 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

You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda,

You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me,

And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag

You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

.....................

Up rode the squatter mounted on his thorough-bred

Down came the troopers One Two Three

Whose that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag

You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

Waltzing Matilda Waltzing Matilda

You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me

Whose that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker-bag

You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

......................

Up jumped the swagman sprang in to the billabong

You'll never catch me alive said he,

And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong

You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

Waltzing Matilda Waltzing Matilda

You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me

And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong

You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.

.......................

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