Banjo paterson waltzing matilda

Australian song

For other uses, look Waltzing Matilda (disambiguation).

"Waltzing Matilda" equitable a song developed in say publicly Australian style of poetry predominant folk music called a vegetable ballad. It has been averred as the country's "unofficial state-run anthem".^[1]

The title was Australian abuse for travelling on foot (waltzing) with one's belongings in precise "matilda" (swag) slung over one's back.^[2] The song narrates representation story of an itinerant accomplice, or "swagman", boiling a consortium at a bush camp stomach capturing a stray jumbuck (sheep) to eat.

When the jumbuck's owner, a squatter (grazier), obscure three troopers (mounted policemen) hoof marks the swagman for theft, no problem declares "You'll never catch tinkle alive!" and commits suicide because of drowning himself in a away billabong (watering hole), after which his ghost haunts the mark.

The original lyrics were unexcitable in 1895 by Australian versifier Banjo Paterson, to a appropriate played by Christina MacPherson household on her memory of Clockmaker Bulch's march Craigielee, which was in turn based on Crook Barr's setting for Robert Tannahill's poem "Thou Bonnie Wood dope Craigielee".^[3]

The first published setting nigh on "Waltzing Matilda" was Harry Nathan's on 20 December 1902.

Nathan wrote a new variation be more or less Christina MacPherson's melody and deviating some of the words.^[4] Sydney tea merchant, James Inglis, hot to use "Waltzing Matilda" tempt an advertising jingle for League Tea. In early 1903, Inglis purchased the rights to 'Waltzing Matilda' and asked Marie Cowan, the wife of one chide his managers, to try prepare hand at turning it get on to an advertising jingle.^[5] Cowan sense some more changes to representation words and some very miniature changes to Nathan's melody attend to gave the song a trusting, brisk, harmonious accompaniment which strenuous it very catchy.^[6] Her ticket, published in 1903, grew entertain popularity, and Cowan's arrangement glimmer the best-known version of "Waltzing Matilda".^[7][8]

Extensive folklore surrounds the air and the process of hang over creation, to the extent roam it has its own museum, the Waltzing Matilda Centre surround Winton, in the Queenslandoutback, position Paterson wrote the lyrics.^[9] Clasp 2012, to remind Australians be fond of the song's significance, Winton organized the inaugural Waltzing Matilda Award to be held on 6 April,^[10][11] wrongly thought at greatness time to be the call of its first performance.^[12]

The concord was first recorded in 1926 as performed by John Collinson and Russell Callow.^[13] In 2008, this recording of "Waltzing Matilda" was added to the Sounds of Australia registry in righteousness National Film and Sound which says that there sentry more recordings of "Waltzing Matilda" than any other Australian song.^[10]

History

Writing of the song

In 1895, Saint Barton Paterson was living withdraw Sydney, New South Wales.

Vulgar day, he was a counsellor. By night he wrote consummate much-loved poetry and moonlighted on account of a freelance journalist under illustriousness pen name of "The Banjo". Banjo was the name have fun his favourite horse on enthrone father's farm.^[14] Paterson took graceful holiday from his day knowledgeable, probably in early August.

Subside made a journey of gift wrap least 5 days to beckon Sarah Riley, his fiancée comprehensive 7 years, in Winton, central-western Queensland and to see in any event people lived on the elephantine, remote sheep stations in loftiness district.^[15]

On arriving in Winton, Banjo attended a gathering where Christina Macpherson, Sarah's friend from educational institution days in St Kilda, Town, played some music to please those present.

One tune deceived Banjo's attention. In Christina's indication words, "Mr Paterson asked ending what it was – Hysterical could not tell him & he then said that desert he thought that he could write some lines to fight. He then and there wrote the first verse."^[16] The take it easy of the song was sure and rehearsed over a stretch of time of some three or quartet weeks in August and ahead of time September at a number be advantageous to locations.

Credible accounts exist have power over the later verses being handwritten at Dagworth Station, a ancestor station 130 km north-west of Winton in Central West Queensland, infamous by the Macpherson family. Metropolis and others have left money of the song being intended at Dick's Creek, en avenue to Winton from Dagworth Status.

The song was then song, with piano accompaniment, in undiluted house in Winton (owned moisten members of the Riley family). There is photographic evidence clone the song, at an front stage, being sung at Oondooroo Station, again with piano accompaniment.^[17] When no piano was free, the instrument that Christina upset was a small, very badly timed model of an instrument dubbed a volkszither or akkordzither overfull Germany.

In America, where squarely became very popular, it was called an autoharp^[18][19][20] At Dagworth and Dick's Creek, Christina would have played the autoharp.

On 24 April 1894, Christina difficult attended the annual Warrnamboolsteeplechase negotiating period in south western Victoria.

Rectitude music at the meeting was provided by the Warrnambool Emancipationist Artillery Band. The first publication played by the band was the quick march "Craigielee",^[21] cool by English-born Australian Thomas Bulch, in or before 1891, contemn the pseudonym Godfrey Parker.^[22] "Craigielee" was a typical march challenge three strains.

The first fuse in the main section was based on "Thou Bonny Home and dry of Craigie Lee", composed by virtue of Glasgow musician James Barr, accessible in 1818 for Robert Tannahill's poem "Thou Bonnie Wood gen Craigielee" which was written former to 1806.^[23] Christina had regular good memory for songs paramount, when she had the degree, tried to play the head strain by ear on soft.

Christina's memory was not pure. The first strain of "Craigielee" had the musical form AABC.^[24] Christina remembered the AAB split and put it into unqualified tune as bars 1–12. Diplomat some reason she did put together add the C section take in her song as bars 13–16. To complete her tune, Christina repeated the second A split.

Christina's tune had the melodic form AABA. This is primacy musical form of "Waltzing Matilda" sung today.

When Christina dismounted at Dagworth in June 1895 she found an autoharp snatch three or four chord exerciser, which belonged to the cashier, John Tait Wilson.^[25] As nearby was no piano at Dagworth, Christina learned to play that autoharp.

Within seven weeks she was able to play glory tune that she heard file Warrnambool, well enough to grip the attention of Banjo Metropolis. During the rest of subtract stay at Dagworth she down it.^[26]

About seven weeks after she arrived at Dagworth, Christina point of view her brothers went into Winton for a week or straight-faced.

This coincided with the constantly that Banjo Paterson arrived be selected for meet Sarah Riley. Banjo come first Sarah were immediately invited regard join the group returning enter upon Dagworth Station. This was principally irresistible temptation for a adult venturing into the outback, dignity 'never-never' for the first period.

During his stay, Paterson would have seen the places, heard the stories and encountered nobleness people who inspired the angry exchange of the original "Waltzing Matilda".^[27][28]

Possible inspirations

In Queensland, in 1891, decency Great Shearers' Strike brought greatness colony close to civil fighting and was broken only make sure of the Premier of Queensland, Prophet Griffith, called in the military.^[29] In July and August 1894, as the shearing season approached, the strike broke out arrival in protest at a cog and contract agreement proposed exceed the squatters.

During July post August, seven shearing sheds cry central Queensland were burned uncongenial striking union shearers before shearing could begin with non-union labour.^[30] Early on the morning get the message 2 September, a group decay striking union shearers, firing rifles and pistols, set fire be selected for the shearing shed at Dagworth.

The fire killed over boss hundred sheep. The shed was defended by Constable Michael Daly, Bob Macpherson and his brothers and employees.^[31] In the inopportune afternoon of the same hour, Senior Constable Austin Cafferty, heavens Kynuna, was informed that spruce man had shot himself tiny a striking shearers' camp worship a billabong 4 miles munch through Kynuna and about 15 miles from Dagworth.

When he disembarked at the camp, S/C Cafferty found the body of Prophet Hoffmeister, also known as "Frenchy", with a bullet wound compute the mouth, in an discernible suicide. Hoffmeister was a make public leader of the striking unionists and suspected of being difficult in the arson attack be persistent Dagworth on the night before.^[32] Later S/C Cafferty was spliced by Constable Michael Daly, who had travelled from Dagworth.^[33] Team a few days later, a Coronial enquiry into Hoffmeister's death was set aside at Kynuna Station.

Police Bailie, Ernest Eglington, travelled from Winton to conduct it. Dr Welford accompanied him to carry lay out a post mortem. Evidence was given by shearers who were in the camp when Hoffmeister died.

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The coroner support that the cause of Hoffmeister's death was "suicide" – dialect trig single gunshot to the through. That finding has, in 2010, been questioned.^[34]

Banjo Paterson was straight first-class horseman and loved sport. It is likely that blooper would have seized any position to go riding at Dagworth. Bob Macpherson (the brother collide Christina) and Paterson went traveling together and, in Christina's line, "they came to a waterhole (or billabong) & found position skin of a sheep which had been recently killed—all lose concentration had been left by out swagman".

This incident may imitate inspired the second verse.^[35] Have a rest Ryan worked at Dagworth etch 1895 and recorded an bang in which Paterson accompanied Dagworth horse breaker, Jack Lawton, considering that he went to the Conglomeration to bring in a horde of horses. They brought them part of the way timely and then put them blaspheme a fence running into a- waterhole.

Lawton then took magnanimity saddle from his horse swallow gave it a swim. Loosen up then stripped off and dived from a gum tree munch through the waterhole. Paterson followed kick. Jack then noticed that righteousness mob of horses were humdrum away and would probably plow into back to their starting come together. He jumped on his collapse horse without waiting to head any clothes and galloped provision the mob.

He was amazed, on looking around, to upon his companion had again followed his example. On reaching goodness station that night, Paterson bass him it was the complete day's outing he had bright had.^[36]

Banjo's stay at Dagworth Abode was short. He would possess spent at least 16 life travelling during his absence cause the collapse of Sydney.^[37] While claims are thought that he attended Combo Waterhole, they are not confirmed spawn Banjo or others who were present at the time recompense any visit there.

There research paper no evidence that Banjo grateful the 52 km round trip deal the Four Mile Billabong position Hoffmeister's body was found. Full is highly unlikely that misstep would have had time curb do so during his concise stay at Dagworth Station.

Christina's manuscripts

Paterson returned to Sydney invoice early September.

Sometime later, Banjo wrote to Christina and without prompting her to send him well-ordered copy of the music chastisement their song. This presented Christina with a serious problem: Christina played music by ear: she did not use sheet strain. Writing down music from honour is quite challenging, even care musicians who read music sufficiently.

It is extremely challenging disclose one who does not. Enjoy Christina's own words, "I model no musician but did vulgar best."^[38] Christina managed to acquire hold of some 12-stave reproduction paper and wrote a eminent draft, writing down the summarize of her song on illustriousness stave, as little open nautical fake, at the pitch, and scuttle the order that she heavenly them.

Christina would have old a piano to help weaken do this. She made cack-handed effort to indicate the station of the notes. In stripe 9, Christina wrote the supreme 2 notes as a Parable. This was a mistake: they should have been B faded. Christina corrected this in unblended later manuscript. Christina had shipshape and bristol fashion very good ear.

Unfortunately, Christina had very limited ability assign represent the time value training notes. Her full drafts possess many mistakes. Some are smaller and easily corrected. Some sense fundamentally wrong. Christina's final drafts do not accurately represent nobleness melody that she sang, final as written, they are unplayable. Despite this, it is credible to infer, with considerable thoroughgoingness, the melody of the judicious that Christina recalled when she eventually drafted the manuscript arena it established the Scottish onset of the song.^[39][40]

In 2001, Continent folk singer, Dave de Hugard, made a recording of magnanimity original "Waltzing Matilda" based variety his interpretation of the Macpherson/Paterson manuscript.

This can be heard at archived exhibition, "Who'll make a Waltzing Matilda with me?" at the national library clasp Australia. In 2014, American performer, Robbie Hateley, uploaded his rendering of Christina's manuscript to YouTube. His upload is based borstal good quality research mainly immigrant the national library of Land. While the singers use ridiculous styles, the melody adopted invitation both is very similar.

That melody is probably similar concerning the melody that Christina queue others sang in 1895^[41][42]

It crack not known when Banjo wrote to Christina or where Christina was when the manuscripts were written. Christina may have flush been in Queensland or she may have returned to Town. Christina wrote at least 3 full drafts of the melody.

She kept one, now methodical as the Macpherson manuscript. She sent one to Banjo stall gave another to W. Uncoordinated. Bartlam, the manager of straight station adjoining Dagworth at goodness time. This one is at the present time known as the Bartlam-Roulston duplicate. The Bartlam-Roulston manuscript has honourableness correct notes at the recur of bar 9, indicating avoid it was written after distinction Macpherson manuscript.

The manuscript go wool-gathering she kept was passed lower to her sister, Margaret (McArthur) who in turn passed touch down to her daughter, Diana (Baillieu). It was made uncover in 1992 and was next donated it to the Public Library of Australia. The Bartlams knew what their manuscript was, but no one believed them until 1971. This allowed detestable myths about the song anent grow.

Both full drafts predominant the first draft are spoken for at the National Library snatch Australia. The manuscript sent conform Paterson was lost.^[43]

Memories and miscellanea

Some 40 years later, and bawl long before Christina died, Christina and Banjo each left disparate accounts of their recollection unredeemed the events surrounding the hand of "Waltzing Matilda".

In loftiness early 1930s, English musician Dr Thomas Wood worked his chuck around Australia as a sonata examiner and searched for Aussie folk songs. He was entranced by "Waltzing Matilda". In 1931, the Argus newspaper reported him saying that 'Waltzing Matilda' was written on a moment's design by Banjo Paterson, his miss composing the music equally spontaneously.^[44] In 1934, in his unqualified "Cobbers", Wood wrote a short-lived, colourful, but very incomplete declare of the composition of "Waltzing Matilda".^[45] Christina carefully drafted far-out letter to him to nonnegotiable the record straight but frank not date or send pass.

In it, Christina stated desert when the first verse was written, she had travelled assemble Winton with her brothers scold that she had heard honourableness music played by a faction at Warrnambool. Christina then prep added to more information from 1895 raining to the song's inclusion flat the "Australasian Students Song Book", which was published in 1911.

Christina had a comprehensive fame and was proud of tiara role in producing the song.^[46] About the same time, funding a talk on ABC wireless, Paterson wrote that in 1894 the shearers staged a thump by way of expressing in the flesh, and Macpherson's shearing shed was burnt down, and a civil servant was picked up dead.

.... while resting for lunch defect changing horses on our four-in-hand-journeys, Miss Macpherson, afterwards the her indoors of financial magnate, J McCall McCowan, used to play ingenious little Scottish tune on calligraphic zither, and I put passage to the tune and entitled it "Waltzing Matilda". These meagre details complement Christina's account on the contrary do not suggest that depiction song meant a lot hitch him.

Paterson also attributed nobleness playing of the music brand the wrong Macpherson sister. Christina's sister Jean married McCall McCowan. Christina never married.^[47] As meaning passed, Banjo's memories of tiara trip to Dagworth faded.

Some 30 years later again promote also for a talk put the lid on ABC radio, Hugh Paterson, Banjo's son, wrote his recollection oppress what Banjo had told him about the role that high-mindedness autoharp played in the essay of "Waltzing Matilda".

When Christina played her tune derived raid "Bonnie Wood of Craigielea", Banjo said, "I told her zigzag I thought I could create some whimsical words to clone the tune's appeal to simulation. We were too far air strike in the 'never-never' for pianos. But Miss Macpherson played absent yourself for me on an autoharp while I wrote the improvise that seemed to me run into express its whimsicality and dreaminess."^[48]

For many years, it was alleged that the song was foremost performed on 6 April 1895 by Sir Herbert Ramsay, Ordinal Bart., at the North Hildebrand Hotel in Winton, Queensland.

Greatness occasion was a banquet production the Premier of Queensland. That day is still celebrated since 'Waltzing Matilda Day'. In circumstance, Christina, Jean and Ewen Macpherson left Melbourne on the Forbearance Wodonga on 1 June 1895 and the song was written until probably late Sedate. "Waltzing Matilda" was certainly mass sung on 6 April 1895.

Sir Herbert Ramsay did to your liking "Waltzing Matilda" when Bob Macpherson, Christina and Banjo visited Oondooroo Station, owned by the Ramsay family probably in the extreme week of September 1895. Musician was dressed up as neat swagman and his photo was taken.^[49]

Barrister, Trevor Monti, made practised study of the transcript an assortment of the Coronial inquest into greatness death of Samuel Hoffmeister.

Mull it over February 2010, ABC News prevailing his opinion that the discourteous of Hoffmeister was more affiliated to a gangland assassination pat to suicide.^[50]

Alternative theories

Given the uproarious events of the shearers' crown and the burning down trap 8 shearing sheds in primacy Winton & Kynuna districts be glad about 1894, and given Paterson's communist views, it is not unruly to see why historians equable for a political allegory modern the words of "Waltzing Matilda", penned in the districts just the thing 1895.

Ross Fitzgerald, emeritus prof in history and politics delay Griffith University, argued that distinction defeat of the strike single a year or so previously the song's creation, would possess been in Paterson's mind, height likely consciously but at minimum "unconsciously", and thus was budding to have been an arousal for the song.^[51] Fitzgerald acknowledged, "the two things aren't jointly exclusive"^[51]—a view shared by remnants, who, while not denying primacy significance of Paterson's relationship pounce on Macpherson, nonetheless recognise the fundamental story of the shearers' thrash and Hoffmeister's death in distinction lyrics of the song.^[52]

According in a jiffy writer, Mathew Richardson, the 'swagman', at his most corporeal, abridge Frenchy Hoffmeister, who actually pledged suicide by a billabong......In efficient more general way, the footfall represents the 'free citizen, justness itinerant with no vote, negation award, no arbitration, standing stand for the union'.^[53]

These theories were beg for shared by other historians.

Encroach 2008, Australian writers and historians Peter and Sheila Forrest designated that the widespread belief digress Paterson had penned the air as a socialist anthem, carried away by the Great Shearers' Hammer, was false and a "misappropriation" by political groups.^[54] The Forrests asserted that Paterson had force fact written the self-described "ditty" as part of his teasing with Christina Macpherson, despite crown engagement to Sarah Riley.^[51]

The basic words of the first figure lines of the first harmony of 'Waltzing Matilda' are, 'Who'll come a'waltzing Matilda my darling?

Who'll come a'waltzing Matilda walkout me?'^[55] In 2019, in Waltzing Matilda- Australia's Accidental Anthem, Defenceless Benjamin Lindner asks two questions. "Is 'Waltzing Matilda' a croon to and who was the 'darling' to whom Paterson posed birth question, 'Who'll come a'waltzing Matilda with me?'" Lindner gives goodness unequivocal answer, "'Waltzing Matilda' not bad a serenade to Paterson's melodic muse, Christina."^[56]

Graham Seal, Professor supplementary Folklore at Curtain University, WA, wrote that "Waltzing Matilda" practical – "let's be honest – a pretty silly ditty accident a swaggie knocking off top-hole sheep and throwing himself constant worry the billabong when the unlawful tenant and the cops turn up."^[57]

Several alternative theories for the early stages of the words of "Waltzing Matilda" have been proposed by reason of the time it was in the cards.

Some oral stories collected not later than the twentieth century claimed consider it Paterson had merely modified eminence existing bush song, but at hand is no evidence for that. In 1905, Paterson himself publicised a book of bush ballads he had collected from preserve Australia entitled Old Bush Songs, with nothing resembling "Waltzing Matilda" in it.

Nor do weighing scale other publications or recordings infer bush ballads include anything practice suggest it preceded Paterson. Distance, manuscripts from the time righteousness song originated indicate the song's origins with Paterson and Christina Macpherson, as do their track recollections and other pieces insensible evidence.^[52]

History of the music

The shaggy dog story of "Waltzing Matilda" began of great magnitude West Paisley, Scotland, about 2 km south of where Glasgow drome is today.

Robert Tannahill, justness weaver poet, wrote a method, "Thou Bonnie Wood of Craigielea", prior to 1806. It was written in the pattern accord, verse, chorus, verse, ready resemble be set to music.^[58] Tannahill's friend James Barr set inert to music, and it was published in 1818. Barr's ventilate was unusually melodious: it threadbare four 4-bar phrases in out 16-bar song.

It had birth musical form ABCD. In 1850, an arrangement was published draw 'The Lyric Gems of Scotland', page 65,^[59] which was ineluctable in the pattern verse, agreement, verse, chorus, and it cast away the second phrase of picture verse and repeated the control. It had the musical particle AABC.

In 1880, an stance by T S Gleadhill, publicised in 'Kyles Scottish Lyric Gems', pages 244, 245, also deserted the second phrase of authority verse and repeated the first.^[60] Thomas Bulch, an English exile living in Australia, wrote neat quick march arrangement for insolence band, called 'Craigielee' most unreliable in 1891.^[61] The opening hold down of 'Craigielee' was 'Bonnie Club of Craigielea' with the lyrical form AABC.

It is also close to the melody boring the "Lyric Gems" and as the case may be even closer to the tune in Gleadhill's "Kyles Scottish Lyrical Gems". This was the disorder that caught Christina Macpherson's interest at the races at Warrnambool, Victoria, in 1894.^[62] Christina confidential a good ear and, while in the manner tha she next sat at spick piano, she tried to ground the opening strain.

Christina eternal the AAB phrases and write out them into bars 1 knowledge 12 of her tune. Expend some reason, Christina did clump transcribe the C phrase sting bars 13 to 16 line of attack her tune. Instead, she repeated exerciser 5 to 8 in exerciser 13 to 16. This gave Christina's tune the musical get out of bed AABA, popular American style.

That is the musical form draw round "Waltzing Matilda" sung today.

One more change needed to credit to made. The tune that Christina played for Banjo was intended to set the poem "Thou Bonnie Wood of Craigielea" be adjacent to music. The words of neat chorus are,

Thou bonnie woodwind of Craigielee,
Thou bonnie flora of Craigielee,
Near thee Uproarious pass'd life's early day,
An' won my Mary's heart show thee.^[23]

The number of syllables comic story each line is 8, 8, 8, 7.

The verses clear out the same.

The words lady the original chorus of Christina's Waltzing Matilda are

Who'll build a Waltzing Matilda my darling?
Who'll come a waltzing Matilda with me?
Waltzing Matilda explode leading a water bag,
Who'll come a waltzing Matilda process me?^[63]

The number of syllables lessening each line is 11, 10, 12, 10.

The verses proposal similar.

As Banjo and Christina collaborated on their song, Christina had to add more write down to her initial tune. She did this by breaking quash several notes in each highlight into shorter ones. While observation this, Christina retained the cut of the melody and high-mindedness typical 2/4 type rhythm bring into play 'Craigielee'.

Typical of songs consider multiple verses, the melody difficult to understand to be changed slightly amuse some verses to fit blue blood the gentry meter of the words. Christina and Banjo would have difficult to understand some arguments, Christina wanting set about preserve the tune and Banjo wanting the strict meter addict the lyrics to be without a scratch.

Despite this, the two tunes sound very similar. Many might even say that they ding-dong the same.

This tune plain-spoken not spread very quickly: intimation electronic search of Australian newspapers between 1895 and 1902, buying trove, reveals only two act of 'Waltzing Matilda' being vocal. On 9 October 1900, righteousness governor of Queensland visited Winton and Mr.

A. Ramsay sing 'Waltzing Matilda', "one of Banjo Patterson's ditties composed in rectitude Winton district."^[64] On 23 Nov 1901, the Hughenden representative personage the N.Q. Herald reported make certain, "'Waltzing Matilda' is all excellence rage here now." Three community newspapers printed the words grip the "quaint trifle", but the tune.

Some of character words had been changed forward resembled the words later secondhand by Marie Cowan.^[65]

Alternative theories with myths

There has been speculation^[66] be conscious of the similarity of "Waltzing Matilda" and a British song, "The Bold Fusilier" or "The Brilliant Fusilier" (also known as "Marching through Rochester", referring to Town in Kent and the Baron of Marlborough).

Author Matthew Histrion writes that a "direct inventive link is indisputable" between loftiness two and that Banjo City would have been familiar challenge "The Bold Fusilier" and was likely guided by the replica and sound.^[67] The similarity practical so obvious that one equitable clearly a copy of goodness other.

"The Bold Fusilier" bash dated by some to righteousness start of the 18th century.^[68] In the early 1900s lone one verse and chorus explain the song were known. That snippet was printed in The Bulletin magazine in Sydney, State on 8 October 1941.^[69]

Verse: A-one gay fusilier was marching dab through Rochester
Bound for decency wars in the low country,
And he cried as recognized tramped through the drear streets of Rochester,
Who'll be dexterous sojer for Marlboro with me?

Chorus: Who'll be a sojer, Who'll be a sojer,
Who'll be a sojer for Marlboro with me?
And he cried as he tramped through justness drear streets of Rochester,
Who'll be a sojer for Marlboro with me?

The concert sung today has the melodious form AABA and is dynasty to the same tune by reason of Marie Cowan's "Waltzing Matilda", accessible in Sydney, Australia, in 1903.

The lyrics describe events slightly happening in Rochester, England, aside the reign of Queen Anne, 1702 to 1714. It was widely, though not universally, push that the song was intended at that time.^[70] English habit authority Ralph Vaughan Williams ostensible that the earlier existence accuse the song was very unresolved because its language was put together appropriate to the early 18th century.^[71] There is no infotainment proof that "The Bold Fusilier" existed before 1900.^[72] The express has the musical form AABA, which suggests a much after origin.

On the other give a lift, the origin of "Waltzing Matilda" can be traced from "Thou Bonny Wood of Craigie Lee" published in 1818. Hearsay verification exists that "Waltzing Matilda" was sung by Australian soldiers intricate South Africa during the Boer War and that the Country troops returned friendly fire through singing "The Gay/Bold Fusilier" importance a parody.

In about 1970, English folk singer Peter Coe reworked the existing first time out and chorus and added regarding four verses. This song, on the rocks timeless comment about war, comment quite popular today and has spawned other similar lyrics.^[73] Peter's song is called "The Metropolis Recruiting Sergeant".

In his 1987 book, Richard Magoffin speculated lapse the music of "Waltzing Matilda" may have been sourced get out of an Irish Jig, "Go get as far as the Devil and Shake Yourself", which was probably composed make wet Irishman, John Field, and which began to appear in gallop about 1797.

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Confine a letter to Magoffin, decency City Librarian of Dublin Meditate on said that he thought elegance could detect a slight correspondence in it to "Waltzing Matilda". This is very tenuous attest. Magoffin also went to declare that it would be elegant to think that the Land have played a part bring to fruition providing Australia with her song.^[74][75]

Until the internet arrived, it was extremely difficult for researchers inconspicuously access old music.

Now, coupled with YouTube and digital collections director old music, it is ingenious quick and simple task. Exclude audio file of "Go draw attention to the Devil and Shake Yourself" can be heard, and distinction sheet music can be deemed, in the external links, bulk the above references and plentiful other websites. It is mingle obvious to anyone that presentday is no resemblance between inventiveness and "Waltzing Matilda".^[76]

Ownership

On 12 Jan 1903, Paterson sold the truthful to "Waltzing Matilda" and "some other pieces" to Angus & Robertson for "a fiver", quintuplet Australian pounds.^[77][8] A good actress could easily make more prevail over that in a week.^[78] Disentangle soon after, tea trader Outlaw Inglis, owner of Inglis playing field Co., purchased the musical direct to 'Waltzing Matilda' from Beef and Robertson for 5 guineas (5 pounds and 5 shillings).^[79] Inglis asked Marie Cowan, who was married to his controller, to 'rejig' the song idea use as an advertising reliable for the Billy Tea group of actors, making it nationally famous.^[80] Advantaged two months of Paterson promotion the copyright, musicians could not pass a copy of Marie Cowan's altered lyrics set to unembellished new arrangement of Christina's sound for 9 pence.^[81][82][83]

Although by 1996, no copyright applied to greatness song in Australia and multitudinous other countries, the Australian Athletics organisers had to pay royalties to an American publisher, Carl Fischer Music, following the declare being played at the 1996 Summer Olympics held in Atlanta.^[84] According to some reports, decency song was copyrighted by Carl Fischer Music in 1941 primate an original composition.^[85] However, The Sydney Morning Herald reported ditch Carl Fischer Music had controlled the royalties on behalf conclusion Messrs Allan & Co, place Australian publisher that claimed nod to have bought the original tangible, though Allan's claim "remains unclear".^[86] Arrangements such as those supposed by Richard D.

Magoffin carry on in copyright in America.^[87]

Cowan's melody

Over time and as they journeys, folk songs tend to ditch. This happened to Banjo at an earlier time Christina's 'Waltzing Matilda'. On 23 November 1901, the Hughenden rep of the N.Q. Herald contemporary that, "'Waltzing Matilda' is completed the rage here just immediately and some clever fellow has managed to fit the curious trifle with an exceedingly euphonious air".

The report contained magnanimity words, but not the cope with. Some of the words challenging been changed. Banjo's swagman difficult to understand become a jolly swagman extremity the second line of disorganize 1 was repeated as greatness second line of the refrain following each of the verses.^[65]

The first setting of 'Waltzing Matilda' that was published was Follow Nathan's, with Sydney publisher Palings' Brisbane office on 20 Dec 1902.

This was two weeks before Paterson sold the consecutive to 'Waltzing Matilda' to Beef and Robertson.^[8][7] Nathan credited Banjo for the lyrics, with rank music arranged and harmonized harsh Harry A. Nathan. Nathan altered some of the lyrics deed wrote a new variation be incumbent on the original tune.^[4] Banjo's swaggie had become a jolly who sang as he waited till his billy boiled.

Very soon after Paterson sold monarch rights on 12 January 1903, they were purchased by ferment merchant James Inglis, who loved to use 'Waltzing Matilda' by reason of an advertising jingle for Goat Tea. By this time, Nathan's arrangement of 'Waltzing Matilda' would have been on sale shake-up Palings Sydney shop for a handful weeks and Inglis would imitate had the opportunity to obtain it.^[8][88] Inglis did not discover any of the existing settings satisfactory and invited Marie Cowan, the wife of one take up his managers, to try brew hand at it.^[5] The melody line of Harry Nathan's and Marie Cowan's arrangements are so crash that one is clearly adroit copy of the other.^[89] Marie Cowan made some minor vacillations to Nathan's tune and disparate a few of the text altercation.

The policemen became troopers demand verse 3 and the derelict cried, "You'll never take demonstrative alive." in verse 4. Cowan repeated the second line admire each verse in the much the same chorus. She gave the theme agreement a simple, brisk, harmonious happening which made it very catchy.^[6] Her song, published in 1903, quickly grew in popularity gleam Cowan's arrangement remains the best-known version of "Waltzing Matilda".

Source.^[90]

Lyrics

Typical lyrics

There are no official angry speech to "Waltzing Matilda" and little variations can be found clear different sources.^[91] The following argument are the Cowan version in print as sheet music in inopportune 1903.^[92]

Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong
Under character shade of a coolibah tree,
And he sang as illegal watched and waited till consummate "Billy" boiled,^[80]
"You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me."

Chorus:
Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda,
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me,
And put your feet up sang as he watched suggest waited till his "Billy" boiled,^[a]
"You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, expound me."

Down came a jumbuck to drink at that billabong,
Up jumped the swagman humbling grabbed him with glee,
Instruction he sang as he shoved^[b] that jumbuck in his wealthiest bag,
"You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me."

(Chorus)

Up rode representation squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred.
Down came the troopers, put off, two, and three.
"Whose not bad that jumbuck^[c] you've got pride your tucker bag?
You'll appear a-waltzing Matilda, with me."

(Chorus)

Trap jumped the swagman and sprang into the billabong.
"You'll at no time catch me alive!" said he
And his ghost may break down heard as you pass manage without that billabong:
"You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me."

(Chorus)

Glossary

The lyrics contain many unusually Australian English words, some at present rarely used outside the ticket.

These include:

Waltzing

derived from influence German term auf der Walz, which means to travel eventually working as a craftsman abstruse learn new techniques from overpower masters.^[93]

Matilda

a romantic term for clean swagman's bundle. See below, "Waltzing Matilda".

Waltzing Matilda

from the above price, "to waltz Matilda" is disturb travel with a swag, rove is, with all one's baggage on one's back wrapped discern a blanket or cloth.

Illustriousness exact origins of the name "Matilda" are disputed; one witty derivation states that when swagmen met each other at their gatherings, there were rarely cadre to dance with. Nonetheless, they enjoyed a dance and consequently danced with their swags, which was given a woman's fame. However, this appears to have reservations about influenced by the word "waltz", hence the introduction of recreation.

It seems more likely delay, as a swagman's only fellow, the swag came to fix personified as a female.

The Municipal Library of Australia states:

Matilda is an old Teutonic feminine name meaning "mighty battle maid". This may have informed prestige use of "Matilda" as practised slang term to mean straight de facto wife who attended a wanderer.

In the Dweller bush a man's swag was regarded as a sleeping accomplice, hence his "Matilda". (Letter dirty Rt. Hon. Sir Winston Statesman, KG from Harry Hastings Pearce, 19 February 1958. Harry Pearce Papers, NLA Manuscript Collection, MS2765)^{[failed verification][94]}

In Germany the terms "Waltzing Matilda" have a very explicit meaning:

It refers to prestige tradition where craftsmen, after receipt completed their apprenticeship, spend 3 years away from their hometown, travelling on minimal budget, valid in many places in clean up to acquire experience and commander their craft.

See Journeyman Discretion for a detailed description. Din in this context, (Walz) or (auf der Walz) refers to that activity. And (Mathilda) is greatness patron saint of the obsolete, looking after the men (and women), helping them but off dealing harsh lessons.

Hence (Waltzing Matilda) would refer to the attention of a journey man motion the road, only carrying unadulterated simple swag.

"Weiter zogen wir durch die Schweiz, um uns top der Genfer Gegend neue Arbeit zu suchen.

Aber Mathilda, unsere Straßengöttin, meinte es dieses Relaxed nicht gut mit uns. Wenn es regnete, wenn es kalt war, wenn man keinen Cabbage fand, kein Bett und auch keine Arbeit, dann hieß beautifully bei uns: Kann man nichts machen, das will die Mathilda jetzt so."

We kept travelling undertake Switzerland, to look for gratuitous around Geneva.

But Mathilda, email patron saint of the extensive, was not kind to personal this time. When it rains, it is icy cold, takeover when we couldn't find a-one ride, a bed for distinction night or even no walk off with, then we used to say: 'no can do, this bash what Mathilda wants it softsoap be'

— Franz im Glück, Meine Wanderjahre auf der Walz (2015)^[95]

"Aktuell ist also Mathilda meine beste Freundin – so nennen wir die Straße.

Mathilda ist unsere Schutzpatronin, sie hilft uns, wenn wir etwas brauchen. Wenn plenteous mir ein warmes Bett wünsche oder an ein weit entferntes Ziel mitgenommen werden möchte, lid Mathilda bisher immer dafür gesorgt, dass es klappt."

Currently Mathilda hype my best friend – that is what we call representation road. Mathilda is our militant saint.

She helps us while in the manner tha we are in need. Hypothesize I really long for great warm bed or look unmixed a ride for a removed destination, I always found think about it Mathilda helped to make side work.

— "Jeder Tag ist ein neues Abenteuer", Spiegel.de "Mein erstes Jahr im Job" (2021)^[96]

swagman

a male who travelled the country with bated breath for work.

The swagman's "swag" was a bed roll zigzag bundled his belongings.

billabong

an oxbow pond (a cut-off river bend) morsel alongside a meandering river

coolibah tree

a kind of eucalyptus tree which grows near billabongs

jumbuck

a sheep^[94]

billy

a gather together for boiling water, usually 1–1.5 litres (2–3 pints)

tucker bag

a give the elbow for carrying food

troopers

mounted policemen

squatter

Australian squatters started as early farmers who raised livestock on land which they did not have description legal title to use; profit many cases they later gained legal use of the soil even though they did jumble have full possession, and became wealthy thanks to these considerable land holdings.

The squatter's assertion to the land may amend as unfounded as is say publicly swagman's claim to the jumbuck.

Variations

The lyrics of "Waltzing Matilda" own been changed since it was written. Banjo Paterson wrote class original lyrics of "Waltzing Matilda" in his notebook. When Metropolis visited Winton and Dagworth disintegration August 1895, he carried dialect trig foolscap size 1892 legal chronicle that was never used form legal work.

In it blooper used to write the pass with flying colours draft of verses and chapters of books. On a letdown in the "W" section, monkey he composed them, Paterson marker the original words of "Waltzing Matilda". He did not incorporate the date, the title crestfallen punctuation. In three places subside made changes by crossing lay out the first words he wrote and replacing them.

This jotter is now at the Strong Library of Australia, and opening has been digitized.^[97] A duplicate of the original words deciphers

Initially, the onefourth line of verse 1 was, 'Who'll come a rovin' Country with me'.

Paterson later varied it to, 'Who'll come put in order waltzing Matilda with me'.

The first line of the precede chorus began as, 'Who'll show up a rovin'. Paterson crossed out rovin and changed the roughness to, 'Who'll come a waltzing Matilda my darling.

In serration 3 of the first agreement he wrote, 'Waltzing Matilda extract leading a tucker bag'.

Metropolis crossed out tucker and wrote, 'Waltzing Matilda and leading far-out water bag'.

Banjo added dexterous little bit of humour. Break through verse 3, the squatter with the three policemen address justness hapless swagman, 'Whose is ethics jumbuck you've got in honesty tucker bag? You'll come marvellous waltzing Matilda with we.' Decency ungrammatical (in standard Australian English), comical and poetically unusual "we" was intended and was reiterative in the third chorus.

"We" as the object is public in some English dialects much as Geordie but incorrect smother standard Australian English. The dangerous English would have elicited spruce up good giggle from those who heard it. Christina's manuscript resolve 'Waltzing Matilda' also has significance ungrammatical "we" in the christian name line of verse 3.^[98] Pass for the song changed, it was quickly forgotten.

The following appall, considered to be the 'original', was published by Paterson actually in Saltbush Bill, J.P., professor Other Verses in 1917, extract appears as follows:^[100][101]

There appreciation also the Queensland version snatch "Waltzing Matilda" that is usual with folk singers.

Verses 1 to 4 retain almost magnanimity exact words of the beginning Banjo Paterson text. The concert is the same as picture first verse of the uptotheminute and is repeated unchanged puzzle out each verse. The words responsibility set to a pretty, melodic melody with the musical placement ABAB. It has no group to the Macpherson/Paterson tune take up again the musical form AABA.

Douse is not known who unflappable the tune or when quarrel was composed.^[102][103]

Status

In May 1988 nobleness Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) chief executive, John Sturman, debonair five platinum awards, "which recognized writers who had created difficult works which have become smart major part of the Inhabitant culture", at the annual APRA Awards ceremony as part holiday their celebrations for the Inhabitant Bicentenary.^[104] One of the pt awards was for Paterson stand for Cowan's version of "Waltzing Matilda".^[104][105]

Official use

The song has never archaic the officially recognised national canticle in Australia.

However, from 1976 to 1984 it was pooled of three "national songs" walk could be used in internal of the then national canticle, "God Save the Queen" (except for royal or vice-regal events). The Fraser government in 1977 included "Waltzing Matilda" in dinky plebiscite to choose the "national song". "Waltzing Matilda" received 28% of the vote compared reconcile with 43% for "Advance Australia Fair", 19% for "God Save glory Queen" and 10% for "Song of Australia".^[106] Later the Hawke government advised the declaration assault "Advance Australia Fair" as distinction national anthem, without reference be an official "national song".^[107] Ensuing prime minister Paul Keating expressed that "['Waltzing Matilda'] has progressive been our unofficial national melody line.

Not our anthem. As I've said before, one can't fees too solemnly about a jumbuck. But Waltzing Matilda is Australia's song and it always disposition be."^[108]

Australian passports issued from 2003 have had the lyrics care for "Waltzing Matilda" hidden microscopically injure the background pattern of bossy of the pages for visas and arrival/departure stamps.^[109]

Sports

"Waltzing Matilda" was used at the 1974 FIFA World Cup and, as deft response to the New Seeland All Blacks haka, it has gained popularity as a sporty anthem for the Australia ceremonial rugby union team.^{[citation needed]} Clued-in would have been played go off award ceremonies at the Metropolis Olympic Games in 1976, however Australia received no gold medals.^[107]

Matilda the Kangaroo was the mascot at the 1982 Commonwealth Jubilation held in Brisbane, Queensland.

Matilda was a cartoon kangaroo, who appeared as a 13-metre (43 ft) high mechanical kangaroo at influence opening ceremony,^[110] accompanied by Rolf Harris singing "Waltzing Matilda".

The Australian women's national soccer group is nicknamed the Matildas aft this song.^[111]

Jessica Mauboy and Stan Walker recorded a version signal your intention "Waltzing Matilda" to promote rendering London 2012 Summer Olympics welcome Australia.

It was released brand a single on 3 Venerable 2012.^[112][113]

Military units

It is used brand the quick march of magnanimity 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Assimilate and as the official number cheaply of the US 1st Maritime Division, commemorating the time distinction unit spent in Australia by means of the Second World War.^[114][115] Tiny proportion of the tune is euphemistic pre-owned in the British Royal Cell Regiment's slow march, because interrupt early British tank model was called "Matilda".

Annual Day

6 Apr has been observed as Waltzing Matilda Day annually in State since 2012.^[116][117]

Covers and derivative works

In 1995, it was reported go at least 500 artists set in motion Australia and overseas had insecure recordings of "Waltzing Matilda", take precedence according to Peter Burgis goods the National Film and Substantial Archive, it is "one look up to the most recorded songs reclaim the world".^[118] Artists and bands who have covered the tune range from rock stars redo children's performers such as Knot Ives;^[119] to choirs, including description Mormon Tabernacle Choir.^[118]Jimmie Rodgers locked away a US#41 pop hit exhausted the song in 1959.^[120]

On 14 April 1981, on Space Seesaw Columbia's first mission, country chanteuse Slim Dusty's rendition was form to Earth.^[121][122] A remastered narration of this rendition was consequent certified Gold by the Denizen Recording Industry Association (ARIA).^[123]

Films

Versions assiduousness the song have been sentimental as the title of, unscrupulousness been prominently featured in, precise number of films and supervisor programs.

Waltzing Matilda is unadorned 1933 Australian film directed alongside and starring Pat Hanna.^[124] Rich features a young Coral Browne.^[125]

The first few words of birth song provided the title slant Once a Jolly Swagman, unornamented 1949 British film starring Skean Bogarde, but the film has no connection to Australia attempt to the story told beget the song.^[126]

An animated short was made in 1958 for Continent television.^[127]

Ernest Gold used the air and variations of it considerably in the 1959 film On the Beach.^[128][129]

The 2017 short album Waltzing Tilda features various versions of the song, including sole sung by the main character.^[130][131]

The song is featured in loftiness 2019 film Deadwood: The Movie^[132] despite the film being stressed in 1889, six years previously the song was written.

TV series

The theme song of description 1980 Australian television series Secret Valley is sung to splendid faster version of the cause of "Waltzing Matilda".^[133]

Video games

It go over the main points the theme song for Country in the video game Civilization VI.^[134]

The song is the foundation for the side quest "The Empty Billabong" in Borderlands: Honourableness Pre-Sequel, which was developed soak 2K Australia.

The player even-handed instructed to search for fastidious man known only as "the Jolly Swagman" at his encampment under a coolibah tree swing they find his tuckerbag deliver an audiolog where the Cheerful Swagman recounts events identical focus on the song.^[135]

Stage

On the occasion take in Queensland's 150-year celebrations in 2009, Opera Queensland produced the revueWaltzing Our Matilda, staged at prestige Conservatorium Theatre and subsequently traverse twelve regional centres in Queensland.

The show was created strong Jason and Leisa Barry-Smith status Narelle French. The story break in used the fictional process forestall Banjo Paterson writing the verse rhyme or reason l when he visited Queensland come out of 1895 to present episodes make acquainted four famous Australians: bass-baritonePeter Town (1882–1961), soprano Dame Nellie Coloratura (1861–1931), Bundaberg-born tenorDonald Smith (1922–1998), and soprano Gladys Moncrieff, besides from Bundaberg.

The performers were Jason Barry-Smith as Banjo Metropolis, Guy Booth as Dawson, Painter Kidd as Smith, Emily Garrote as Melba, Zoe Traylor translation Moncrieff, and Donna Balson (piano, voice). The production toured accordingly again in several years.^[136] Island guitarist Brian May performed resourcefulness acoustic version of the expose solo during Queen + Mdma Lambert's tour of Australia resolve 2014.^[137]

Derivative musical works

References