Song from Australia
The original version of Waltzing Matilda was written in 1895 by Banjo Paterson.
How will you perform the song? Will you decide to vary Verses and Choruses? Will you sing acappella? Can you play instruments along with the singer(s)?
This backing track is at a fairly fast tempo? Which tempo will you choose?
Also consider whether you prefer to sing at an alternative pitch.
The Slideshare by smccall88 provides a Welcome to the Land “Down Under”!
The Waltzing Matilda section provides an alternative story through illustrations and different lyrics. These could be used for your own versions of the song.
WALTZING MATILDA
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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, "You'll come a- Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda, You'll come a- And he sang as he watched and waited till his "Billy" boiled, "You'll come a- Down came a jumbuck to drink at that billabong, Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee, And he sang as he stowed that jumbuck in his tucker bag, "You'll come a- Up rode the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred. Down came the troopers, one, two, and three. "Whose is that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag? You'll come a- 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- |
‘On a Hungry Track’ by Frank Mahony
Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Swagman – traveller searching for work, usually very poor, carrying all his belongings in a swag blanket.
- Waltzing -
travel from place to place while working as a craftsman. - Matilda -
swag blanket. - Billabong – a waterhole or pond with little or no water.
- Coolibah Tree – a eucalyptus tree, usually growing near water.
- Billy – a tin can used to boil water.
- Jumbuck – a sheep, jumping buck.
- Tucker Bag – a bag for storing tucker (food).
- Squatter – wealthy landowner.
- Thoroughbred – an expensive pedigree horse.
- Troopers – policemen mounted on horses.