Tuesday 18 December 2012

ABC Wednesday, W for Waltzing Matilda

At this moment I am in Tasmania with my daughters and their families. I wish you a very merry Christmas.
I have some questions! I'd like to know if one or two of you know what a
"a-walzing Mathilde" is, and what is a billabong?What's a billy? And a tuckerbag?    
 Answers next year!!




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 till his billy boiled:
"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 tucker bag:
"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 shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag:
"You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me."

Up rode the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred.
Down came the troopers, one, two, three.
"Whose that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me."

Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me"
"Whose that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?
You'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."

Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda
"You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me"
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong:
"You'll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me."
 With thanks to Denise Nesbitt,  and Roger . For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar. This week we are looking for words beginning withW.



14 comments:

Roger Owen Green said...

I learned this more than 50 years ago. My, I feel old!

??? said...

I know most of this from Terry Pratchett's book The Last Continent. My favourite word from that corner of the world is wobbegong, though.

MERYL JAFFE, PhD - parent, psychologist, teacher, author... said...

Ditto to Roger's statements. I heard this as a kid but never thought of the words. I too feel OLD! Have a great holiday - may it be joyous and meaningful.

photowannabe said...

I guess I will join the "old" gang and say I remember this too. Once upon a time I knew all the definitions but my senior moments aren't helping now... (:0)

carol l mckenna said...

Don't have a clue what the answers are ~ Great post for 'W' ~

(A Creative Harbor ~ aka ArtMuseDog and Carol ^_^

Happy Holidays to you ^_^

Leslie: said...

We learned this song when we were kids and I've always loved its whimsical, wacky rhythm.

Leslie
abcw team

Joy said...

Looks like all us oldies learnt it as kids. I also seem to remember in the mists of time a cartoon short that showed the meanings of the words.
Joy - ABC Team

Gattina said...

Never heard of a waltzing Mathilda, lol !
You lucky girl you certainly have nicer weather then we here in the grey and humid landscape !

Chubskulit Rose said...

This is my first time to hear the song and I love it.

Wedding
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

Lisa said...

I've always heard the phrase, but have never known the origins or meaning. Looking forward to learning something new to begin 2013!

Vicki Lane said...

We used to sing this in Girl Scouts about 60 years ago.

ChrisJ said...

Learned the song years ago too. Know all the definitions except 'a Waltzing Mathilda'

Nonnie said...

for some reason, I think that I learned the chorus at Girl Scout camp, not sure!
I love the tune, but I must admit I'll have to look up the meanings of many of the words.
enjoyed the audio!

Mama Pajama said...

of course I first heard the song way back, but I never knew all the words...now I'm going to have go look them up! fun post ~