Commonwealth of Australia | Waltzing Matilda [Instrumental]

"Waltzing Matilda" is Australia's most widely known bush ballad.

The title is Australian slang for travelling by foot with one's goods (waltzing, derived from the German auf der Walz) in a "Matilda" (bag) slung over one's back. The song narrates the story of an itinerant worker, or "swagman", making a drink of tea at a bush camp and capturing a sheep to eat. When the sheep's owner arrives with three police officers to arrest the worker for the theft, the worker commits suicide by drowning himself in the nearby watering hole, after which his ghost haunts the site.

The original lyrics were written in 1895 by poet and nationalist Banjo Paterson. It was first published as sheet music in 1903. Extensive folklore surrounds the song and the process of its creation, to the extent that the song has its own museum, the Waltzing Matilda Centre in Winton, Queensland. In 2012, to remind Australians of the song's significance, Winton organised the inaugural Waltzing Matilda Day to be held on 6 April, the anniversary of its first performance.

The song was first recorded in 1926 as performed by John Collinson and Russell Callow. In 2008, this recording of "Waltzing Matilda" was added to the "Sounds of Australia Registry" in the National Film and Sound Archive which says that there are more recordings of "Waltzing Matilda" than any other Australian song.

This recording is from André Rieu

Lyrics:

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, with me."

[Chorus]
Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda,
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me,
And he sang as he watched and waited till his "Billy" boiled,
"You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me."

Down came a jumbuck to drink at that 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."

[Chorus]
Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda,
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me,
And he sang as he watched and waited till his "Billy" boiled,
"You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me."

Up rode the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred.
Down came the troopers, one, two, and three.
"Whose is that jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me."

[Chorus]
Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda,
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me,
And he sang as he watched and waited till his "Billy" boiled,
"You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me."

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."

[Chorus]
Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda,
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me,
And he sang as he watched and waited till his "Billy" boiled,
"You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me."

[noelhayward]

As an 83 year old Australian living in Sweden, this rendition of Waltzing Matilda brought tears to my eyes when I first heard it played.

[thomasringa]

I’m not Australian, but this rendition is the most beautiful song I’ve ever heard!!

[indominuskangaroo]

This is literally the most majestic version of this song I've ever heard. So proud to be Australian.

[rantingswde]

I love that the most tender rendition of this song is from a Dutch violinist. Beauty knows no boundaries.

[ValiantFlamez]

I'm a New Zealander who is probably going to university in Australia next year. In mid 2022, after I decided I wanted to study in Australia, the music from Waltzing Matilda was stuck in my head for days. Despite the fact that the last time I heard Waltzing Matilda was when I was still in primary school and went over to visit my aunt in Australia. I guess some things are so iconic that you never forget them, and this song is one of them.

[robertbraden]

From a Texan, to our Australian friends, I hope this can become your National Anthem someday. This tune carries your unbending spirit and resolve.

[denisefarmer]

From the movie On The Beach, 1960, about aussies waiting for the nuclear radiation cloud to reach Australia and how they lived their last days before it arrived. 😢 Starred Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner. Beautiful rendition.❤

[Samael_Azrael]

The background painting is 'Down on his Luck', by Frederick McCubbin, 1889.
'It depicts a disheartened swagman, sitting by a campfire in the bush and sadly brooding over his misfortune.' ~ Wikipedia

[robwubbena]

I’m currently 13 days into a 14 day trip to Australia (my first). I was unaware of this song until three days ago. I’m here in the Melbourne airport trying to not cry in public, this song is so moving. God bless Australia, its good land, and its good people.

[jengoh]

Greeting from Taiwan. This is heavenly music!!!! I have visited Australia before. This beautiful composition makes me want to go again Only an amazing country is deserving of such an amazing anthem.

[AS]

I'm not Australian, but I'm a huge fan of Australia, and this music is so beautiful!!! 🇦🇺🇦🇺❤❤

[Joe]

This should be our National Anthem. It is more Australian than Advanced Australia Fair.

[Mr.McMuffin]

Love the channel name. Just know that anyone who recognizes they're a bogan isn't a bogan. Cheers from America btw.

[gigacurtis]

I think of bazz when I listen to this.

[TasmanianJunk]

Even though Waltzing Matilda lost the referendum on the National Anthem, it is still the most splendid, patriotic song every in Australia.

[vexillopath]

I listen to this video whenever I'm sad. It kinda helps

[stanleystanley]

Keep posting songs! Your channel's small but it keeps us all united during these lockdowns. There are few things that keep us motivated in these times, and your music is certainly one of those things for me.

[conangaming]

I hum this every time I walk through the bush.

I intend on going roving one day, maybe in the new year.

I’ll pack a bag and I’ll grab my dog.

I hunt a lot and know what plants are safe, I think I’ll be ok. It’ll be good for me.

My dog loves the bush so he’ll be good aswell. I’m 18 years old old, a young man recently graduated from high school. So I have the time.

I guess I’ll enjoy the old Australian pass time.

[Mankcam]

This instrumental is our real anthem. Proud to be blended here.

[keelieinwonderland]

You know your Aussie when you can sing the words along with it