The Poetry Corner

Waltzing Matilda

By Banjo Paterson (Andrew Barton)

Oh! there once was a swagman camped in a 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 water-hole, Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee; And he sang as he stowed him away in his tucker-bag, "You'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 me!" But the swagman he up and he jumped in the water-hole, 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?"