Waltzing Matilda (1895)
2-71
(w) Banjo Paterson, 1895. These lyrics as revised by Marie Cowan, 1903. (m) attributed primarily to Christina Macpherson based on Celtic folk sources (P) Peter Dawson, 1938
1. 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 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 waited till his billy boiled,
“Who’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?”

2. Down came a jumbuck to drink at the 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.”

3. Up rode a squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred;
Down came the troopers, one, two, three:
“Who’s that jolly jumbuck you’ve got in the tuckerbag?
You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me!

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda,
You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me.”
Who’s that jolly jumbuck you’ve got in your tucker-bag?
You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me!”

4. Up jumped the swagman and sprang into 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!”