Oh there once was a swagman camped in the billabong, Under the shade of a Coolabah tree;
And he sang as he looked at his old billy boiling "Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me." 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.
Down came a jumbuck to drink at the waterhole, Up jumped the 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." 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.
Down came the squatter a-riding his thoroughbred; Down came policemen — one, two, and three."Whose is the jumbuck you've got in the tucker-bag? You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with we." 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.
But the swagman, he up and he jumped in the waterhole, 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?" 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.
Written in 1895 and first published in
There have been minor word changes over the years as this poem has been set to music. The words above are however the original words written by "Banjo" and as they appear in his collected works of 1921 (16th edition)"Swagman" - an intinerant farmhand, carrying his "swag" (his blankets) rolled into a cylinder "Billabong" - a creek (normally with a pronounced "oxbow" bend) "Coolabah tree" - a eucalyptus (gum) tree. (Also known as the coolibah tree) "Waited till his billy boiled" - a "billy" is a tin can used to heat water over a campfire to make tea "Jumbuck" - sheep "Tucker-bag" - bag or box used to store food "Squatter" - farmer/grazier who simply found good land and took possession; some became extremely rich "Trooper" - policeman or soldier on horseback
