Waltzing Matilda
Two-part Three-part
According to Australian lore, a “matilda” is the the personal belongings pack of a man (a swagman) who seeks casual work while traveling about carrying on his back his portable shelter rolled up with his personal belongings. Thus, in antiquated Australian Pidgin, he is “waltzing” his “matilda,” or as we might say in America, he is “carrying his backpack.”
As the two verses of song’s lyrics indicate, he’s resting under the shade of a “coolibah” (an Australian gum tree) waiting for his “billy” (a metal pot) to boil. Evidently he sees a sheep grazing nearby. He grabs the “jambuck” (sheep) and jams it in his “tucker-bag” (a container that protects his food) and takes off with it. If we were to sing the remaining verses of the song, we would find that the owner of the land arrives with the authorities to arrest him. He immediately jumps in the “billabong” (a large meandering lake) and commits suicide. As the legend goes, his ghost may be heard by those who pass that area to this very day.
Access the two-part and three-part variable voicing chart to see the options that are available. It is published in the three-part version only, which can be sung as a two-part setting, with Part III optional.
Words: Andrew Barton “Banjo” Paterson
Music: Australian Bush Song
Voicing: Two- and Three-part Variable with Piano
Arranger: Gwyneth Cooper
CP Catalog #U117451
This work is available in E-Print.
Order printed copies from J.W. Pepper or directly from Cambiata Press. Please remember the copyright law: it is illegal to purchase a single octavo and photocopy it.