'Waltzing Matilda' by Andrew Barton 'Banjo' Paterson
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Oh! there once was a swagman camped in the Billabong,
Under the shade of a Coolabah tree;
And he sang as he looked at his 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 and leading a water-bag—
Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?
Down came a jumbuck to drink at the water-hole,
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him in glee;
And he sang as he put him away in his tucker-bag,
"You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me!"
Down came the Squatter a-riding his thorough-bred;
Down came Policemen—one, two, and three.
"Whose is the jumbuck you've got in the tucker-bag?
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me."
But the swagman, he up and he jumped in the water-hole,
Drowning himself by the Coolabah tree;
And his ghost may be heard as it sings in the Billabong,
"Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?"
Submitted by Maddy
Editor 1 Interpretation
Waltzing Matilda: A Masterpiece of Australian Literature
The vast, sun-baked expanse of Australia has produced countless tales of adventure, romance, and daring. But few works capture the rugged, independent spirit of the land as vividly as the epic ballad "Waltzing Matilda." Penned by the legendary poet Andrew Barton "Banjo" Paterson, this stirring ode to the Australian bush has become a national treasure, beloved by generations of Australians and recognized around the world as a masterpiece of poetry.
In this essay, we will explore the many layers of meaning and symbolism in "Waltzing Matilda," from its colorful characters to its haunting refrain. We will examine the historical context in which the poem was written, and consider its enduring appeal to readers of all ages and backgrounds. Ultimately, we will show how "Waltzing Matilda" embodies the spirit of Australia itself, and why it remains such an enduring and beloved work of literature.
The Story of "Waltzing Matilda"
At its core, "Waltzing Matilda" tells the story of a swagman, or itinerant laborer, who wanders through the Australian bush, accompanied only by his loyal swag, or bedroll. The swagman comes upon a billabong, or small lake, and decides to rest there for a while. As he eats his meager meal and watches the wildlife, he spies a jumbuck, or sheep, grazing nearby. Tempted by the thought of a hot meal, the swagman steals the jumbuck and stashes it in his swag.
Soon after, a trooper, or mounted policeman, arrives on the scene, having been alerted to the theft by the squatter, or landowner, who owns the sheep. The trooper demands that the swagman surrender, but instead of giving up his ill-gotten booty, the swagman jumps into the billabong and drowns himself, declaring that he would rather "waltz Matilda" than be taken alive.
The poem's refrain, "Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda, you'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me," captures the swagman's defiant spirit and his love of freedom, even in the face of death. But the story is also rich in symbolism and allegory, reflecting the complex social and political landscape of Australia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Historical Context of "Waltzing Matilda"
When Paterson wrote "Waltzing Matilda" in 1895, Australia was undergoing a profound transformation. The country had only recently achieved federation, uniting the six colonies under a central government. But tensions between the rural and urban populations were high, as were conflicts between the working class and the wealthy landowners who controlled much of the country's resources.
In this context, the figure of the swagman represented both the ideal of the rugged, independent pioneer and the reality of the itinerant laborer, often forced to wander from job to job in search of work. The theft of the jumbuck was a symbolic act of rebellion against the wealthy squatters who owned vast tracts of land and controlled much of the country's economy.
The trooper, for his part, represented the forces of law and order, which were seen by many working-class Australians as oppressive and corrupt. The swagman's suicide was a powerful statement of resistance against these forces, and a testament to the enduring spirit of the underdog in Australian society.
The Characters of "Waltzing Matilda"
One of the hallmarks of "Waltzing Matilda" is the vivid cast of characters that populate the poem. From the swagman himself to the jumbuck and the trooper, each figure is richly drawn and imbued with meaning and symbolism.
The swagman is a complex figure, embodying both the freedom and the hardships of life on the road. His decision to steal the jumbuck is a daring act of rebellion against the status quo, but his ultimate choice to take his own life is a tragic one. In the end, the swagman represents the spirit of the Australian bushman, independent and fiercely proud.
The jumbuck, too, is a powerful symbol in the poem. As a sheep, it represents the wealth and power of the squatters, who owned vast flocks of sheep and controlled much of the country's wool industry. But as a stolen sheep, it also represents the theft of the land and resources that underpinned the squatters' wealth.
The trooper, meanwhile, is a figure of authority and law and order, but also of oppression and injustice. His arrival on the scene signals the end of the swagman's freedom and the beginning of his captivity. But the trooper is also a tragic figure, compelled to enforce the laws of a system that many working-class Australians saw as rigged against them.
The Symbolism of "Waltzing Matilda"
Beyond its rich cast of characters, "Waltzing Matilda" is also a deeply symbolic poem, drawing on imagery and themes that resonate with the Australian experience.
The billabong, for example, is a symbol of the Australian landscape itself, vast and untamed, and home to a rich variety of plant and wildlife. But it is also a liminal space, a place of transition between the settled world and the wilderness beyond. The swagman's decision to rest there is a moment of respite from the hardships of the road, but it also sets in motion a chain of events that will end in tragedy.
The refrain, "Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda, you'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me," is both a celebration of the swagman's independence and a poignant reminder of the loneliness and isolation that often accompany life on the road. The image of the swagman "waltzing" with his bedroll suggests a kind of dance, a joyous expression of freedom and self-reliance. But it is also a dance with death, a reminder that the swagman's life is a precarious one.
Ultimately, "Waltzing Matilda" is a powerful statement of Australian identity, a celebration of the spirit of independence and resilience that has defined the country from its earliest days. Whether read as a tale of rebellion against oppression, a lament for a lost way of life, or a celebration of the rugged beauty of the Australian landscape, this iconic poem remains a timeless masterpiece of Australian literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Waltzing Matilda: A Classic Poem by Banjo Paterson
Waltzing Matilda is a classic Australian poem written by Andrew Barton ‘Banjo’ Paterson in 1895. It is a story of a swagman who steals a sheep and is pursued by the police. The poem has become an iconic representation of Australian culture and has been adapted into a song that is often considered the unofficial national anthem of Australia.
The poem is written in the form of a ballad, which is a narrative poem that tells a story. The ballad form is characterized by its simple language, repetition, and a strong rhythm that makes it easy to remember and recite. Waltzing Matilda is a perfect example of a ballad, as it tells a story in a simple and straightforward manner, with a strong rhythm that makes it easy to sing.
The story of Waltzing Matilda is set in the Australian outback, where a swagman is camping by a billabong (a small lake or pond). He sees a sheep and decides to steal it, but is caught by the police. Rather than be arrested, the swagman jumps into the billabong and drowns himself. The chorus of the song, which is repeated after each verse, goes:
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.
The chorus is a call to join the swagman on his journey, which is a metaphor for the journey of life. The swagman is a symbol of the Australian spirit of independence and self-reliance, which is a common theme in Australian literature and culture.
The first verse of the poem sets the scene:
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.
The language used in the poem is simple and colloquial, which reflects the Australian vernacular. The use of the word ‘jolly’ to describe the swagman is typical of the Australian sense of humor and irony. The coolibah tree is a common tree in the Australian outback, and the billy is a tin can used for boiling water.
The second verse introduces the sheep:
Down came a jumbuck to drink at the 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.
The use of the word ‘jumbuck’ to describe the sheep is another example of the Australian vernacular. The swagman’s joy at catching the sheep is conveyed through the use of the word ‘glee’.
The third verse introduces the police:
Up rode the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred Down came the troopers, one, two, and three Whose is that jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag? You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me.
The squatter is a wealthy landowner, and the troopers are the police. The use of the word ‘thoroughbred’ to describe the squatter’s horse emphasizes his wealth and status. The troopers’ demand that the swagman come with them is a reminder of the harshness of the Australian legal system in the 19th century.
The fourth verse describes the swagman’s fate:
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.
The swagman’s decision to jump into the billabong rather than be arrested is a symbol of his independence and defiance. The fact that his ghost may be heard is a reminder of the harshness of life in the Australian outback.
The final verse is a call to join the swagman on his journey:
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.
The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the swagman’s invitation to join him on his journey. The fact that he is singing as he waits for his billy to boil is a reminder of the joy and freedom that can be found in the Australian outback.
In conclusion, Waltzing Matilda is a classic Australian poem that tells a simple and powerful story of a swagman’s journey through the Australian outback. The use of the ballad form, simple language, and repetition make it easy to remember and recite, and the strong rhythm makes it easy to sing. The poem has become an iconic representation of Australian culture and has been adapted into a song that is often considered the unofficial national anthem of Australia.
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