Versions of Waltzing Matilda Which is the Official Version of Waltzing Matilda?
There is no definitive version of the lyrics to Waltzing Matilda. Several variations from the original written by Banjo Patterson now exist. The three most credible versions of the song are discussed below.
Queensland / Banjo Patterson Version
Banjo Paterson wrote the original lyrics for Waltzing Matilda in 1895. This version of the song is often referred to as the Queensland Version. It may contain the original words and music to the song with a more bush ballad tone than any other version.
This is supported by the fact that correspondence written by Christina Macpherson (who arranged the original music) discovered in 1991 has these words and the accompanying music score.
However, this version is rarely sung today.
Harry Nathan Version
Harry Nathan, a well-known Sydney composer, "rewrote" the music for Waltzing Matilda in about 1900. He copyrighted his version in 1903, attributing the words to A. B. Patterson and the music to himself. There is some credence in this because Christiana Macpherson mentions in one of her letters that Banjo had written to her and asked her for the words and music because he wanted to give it to a composer friend of his. Banjo and Harry would probably have known each other are they were both in the 'literati' society of Sydney at the turn of the century. Nathan died of alcoholism in 1906.
This version is now lost.
Marie Cowan Version
Marie Cowan, in 1903, altered some of the lyrics of the song and created a version for the Billy Tea Company to use as an advertising gimmick. Marie had heard the original musical tune composed by Christina McPherson. So she set about recomposing the song by changing some of the lyrics to fit the melody better. This version of the song omitted some of the bush ballad vernacular of the Queensland version and became very popular.
It is this version of the song that is usually heard today.
Banjo Paterson vs Marie Cowen versions
Original Banjo Paterson Version |
Mary Cowan Version |
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Oh there once was a swagman camped in the billabong Under the shade of a Coolibah tree And he sang as he looked at the old billy boiling Who'll come a waltzing Matilda with me Who'll come a Waltzing Matilda my darling Who'll come a waltzing Matilda with me Waltzing Matilda leading a water bag Who'll come a waltzing Matilda with me |
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 Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me And he sang as he watched and waited til his billy boiled You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me |
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Down came a jumbuck to drink at the water hole Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him in glee And he said as he put him away in the tucker bag You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me You'll come a Waltzing Matilda my darling You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me Waltzing Matilda leading a water bag 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 tuckerbag You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me And he sang as he watched and waited til his billy boiled You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me |
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Down came the squatter a riding on his thoroughbred Down came policemen one two three Where is the jumbuck you've got in the tuckerbag You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me You'll come a Waltzing Matilda my darling You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me Waltzing Matilda leading a tucker bag You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me |
Up rode the squatter mounted on his thoroughbred Down came troopers one two three Whose that jumbuck you've got in the tuckerbag? You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me And he sang as he watched and waited til his billy boiled You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me |
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But the swagman he up and he jumped in the waterhole Drowning himself by the Coolibah tree And his ghost can be heard as it sings in the billabong Who'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. |
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