738. Waltzing Matilda (Banjo Paterson) - The Queensland Version

The best known Australian song of all time. It is generally attributed to Banjo Paterson. The story goes that Banjo was told the story of the shooting suicide of a Samuel Hoffmeister beside the Diamantina River on 2nd September 1894. He was supposed to have been one of the striking shearers involved in the burning down of the Dagworth Station shearing shed. This was at least one of the stories that inspired him to write Waltzing Matilda at Dagworth in 1895, though some say he merely adapted the song rather than writing the original. In any case his words are quite different from the words normally sung today, except in this lesser known "Queensland version."

A matilda means a swag, or a bedroll, and to waltz matilda is to hit the road carrying a swag.

A note on verse 3: Where is the jumbuck? seems like a silly question, given that the rest of the sentence says it is "in the tucker bag"; but this is actually an expression used in some forms of Australian English, meaning give me that jumbuck!

Among the interesting discussions on the Mudcat site is a suggestion that the song is an allegory on the 1891 sheep shearers strike, which is dealt with more directly in the song "Ballad of 1891", which can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh9lWHU6Cvs

The better known version was arranged by Marie Cowan in 1903 for Jimmy Inglis, who had heard the song being sung by Boer war veterans in Sydney pubs, and wanted to use it in a Billy Tea promotion. The tune was adapted by Christina McPherson from "Bonnie Wood O' Craigielea" probably from hearing it played by a marching band some months earlier.

I have uploaded the best known version of "waltzing Matilda" some time ago. You can watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO8XWFUFWYw

This version is closer to the original words but the tune is believed to have been written as recently as the 1950s.

You can see a playlist of my Australian songs here: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=0DE11C284435E7A2

For lyrics and chords, see my website: http://www.raymondcrooke.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• folk
• song
• australia
• bum
• swagman
• hobo
• ghost
• billabong
• queensland
• ballad
• 1891

[kjherstin]

I haven't heard this version for so long. Beautiful! I'll be checking your website for the chords and lyrics

[raymondcrooke]

@kjherstin Thanks. I'm glad you liked it.

[JocAdams]

This is the version that that was to my mother by her father Gilbert Bryce Munro. Apparently according to the story he told my mother was that he was present (he was a stock and station agent at the time) at a dinner party where Christina McPherson started playing a scottish tune. Banjo Paterson immediately started writing down some words to the tune. I had never heard another version until I stumbled across this utube version.

[raymondcrooke]

@JocAdams Thanks for that information.

[dermie12]

thank you recordings of the queensland version are rare

[raymondcrooke]

You're welcome. I've always liked this version.

[mattie3975]

this is the real version!!!!!!! this is the one that was meant to be.

[nickeax]

Viddy narce.

[myjizzureye]

(throws rope over rafter)...no no its okay carry on. (puts nose over neck) no seriously keep playing its good i swear. (kicks stool out) AARRGHGGHGHHGHGHH coff coff wiggle....

Even in death there is nothing as horrific...

[raymondcrooke]

You're welcome. I think these are the only two versions of the song. I've never heard of any other.