The song tells the story of an itinerant shearer, who allegedly was being sought by the police "to help them in their enquiries" into the disappearance of a certain young sheep.

If the words of the song tell the correct story, the said swagman, clearly had an attitude problem, as he is reputed to have been so uncooperative that he committed suicide by jumping into the billabong to evade arrest.

After you read the words you might like to check

Did the swagman jump, or was he pushed?

The Australian balladeer Dennis O'Keeffe has thoroughly researched this subject and reveals some interesting details about the events which promulgated Australia's most popular song.

Click on Swagman for your entry to this interesting story.

Once a jolly Swagman camped beside a billabong

under the shade of a coolabah 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.

Along came a jumbuck to drink from the billabong

Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee,

He picked up the jumbuck and stuck him in his tuckerbag,

You'll come a'Waltzing Matilda with me.

CHORUS (as above)

Along came the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred,

bringing the troopers, one - two - three.

Now give us the jumbuck, you've got in your tucker bag

And you'll come a'Waltzing Matilda with me.

CHORUS (as above)

Up jumped the swagman and jumped into the billabong

You'll never catch me alive said he,

Now his ghost may be heard as you pass beside the billabong,

singing, You'll come a'Waltzing Matilda with me.

CHORUS (as above)

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Updated May30th, 1999


Now that you have the words, Please feel free to sing along as loud as you like. I can't hear you.