"Waltzing Matilda" is Australia's most widely known bush ballad, a country folk song, and has been referred to as "the unofficial national anthem of Australia". The title is Australian slang for travelling by foot with one's goods in a "Matilda" (bag) slung over one's back.
The song narrates the story of an itinerant worker making a drink of tea at a bush camp and capturing a sheep to eat. Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong Under the shade of a coolibah tree, And he sang as he watched and waited 'til his billy boiled "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 'til his billy boiled, "You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me". |
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