Waltzing Matilda
Waltzing Matilda
Once a jolly swagman
Camped by a billabong
Under the shade of a coolabah tree
And he sang as he watched and he waited 'til his billy boiled
Who'll come a waltzing matilda with me.
Waltzing matilda, Waltzing matilda
Who'll come a waltzing matilda with me
And he sang as he watched and he waited 'til his billy boiled
Who'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 tuckerbag
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 he waited 'til his billy boiled
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.
Down came a Squatter
mounted on his thoroughbred
Down came the troopers 1-2-3
Who's that jolly jumbuck you got in your tuckerbag
You 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 he waited 'til his billy boiled
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.
Up jumped the swagman
Sprang into the billabong
"You'll never take 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 he sang as he watched and he waited 'til his billy boiled
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.
A little explanation of some of the terms used in this verse
For our overseas visitors who may not be familiar with Aussie terms
Swagman = A tramp.
Billabong = A water hole or creek.
Billy = A can to boil tea in.
Matilda = A bedroll which can be rolled up and slung over the shoulder,usually worn on the back when not in use.
Jumbuck = Lamb
Squatter = The owner of the land or property, in Australia, a sheep or cattle station, in America it would be a ranch.
Troopers = The mounted police.
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