For all the non-Australians out there curious about the song's meaning: It's about a migrant farm worker (Swagman) who travels looking for work (Waltzing), often with a bedroll (Swag) that some affectionately call by a woman's name since it is the "only woman they will ever sleep with" (Matilda), and one day while resting by a watering hole (billabong) while boiling some tea in a can (billy), he has an encounter with a sheep (Jumbuck) and catches it so he can eat it later by storing it in his food bag (tucker bag). However, he is caught by the local rich landowner (squatter) who comes on his horse (thoroughbred) along with 3 policemen (troopers) who try to arrest him for stealing the squatter's jumbuck. Rather than be arrested, the swagman drowns himself in the billabong, where his ghost continues to haunt the area, calling out "you'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me"
For all the non-Australians out there curious about the song's meaning:
It's about a migrant farm worker (Swagman) who travels looking for work (Waltzing), often with a bedroll (Swag) that some affectionately call by a woman's name since it is the "only woman they will ever sleep with" (Matilda), and one day while resting by a watering hole (billabong) while boiling some tea in a can (billy), he has an encounter with a sheep (Jumbuck) and catches it so he can eat it later by storing it in his food bag (tucker bag).
However, he is caught by the local rich landowner (squatter) who comes on his horse (thoroughbred) along with 3 policemen (troopers) who try to arrest him for stealing the squatter's jumbuck. Rather than be arrested, the swagman drowns himself in the billabong, where his ghost continues to haunt the area, calling out "you'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me"
lovely song
I like how Slim Dusty adds 'scoundrel' to the song when he sings it
Me too
PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE SUNG SO MUCH LOUDER WHEN HE SAID "EVERYBODY"!!!!!!!
Awesome SLIM DUSTY AUSTRALIAN LEDGEND