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What does means waltzing Matilda?

Updated: 8/6/2022
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9y ago

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In Waltzing Matilda, an Australian swagman (homeless drifter who wandered between towns and cattle/sheepstations) stops by a billabong, which is a waterhole cut off from the main river or creek. He waits for water to boil in his billy, presumably to make some tea. While doing so, he notices a jumbuck, or male sheep, come to the water. He springs up, grabs the sheep, and stuffs it into his tucker bag (a bag or box to hold food or other other rations). The troopers (police) come after him, so he jumps into the billabong and drowns, preferring to die than to be carted off to gaol.

The actual words about going "waltzing matilda" mean having the freedom to come and go as one pleases. Swagmen would toss their swag (matilda) onto their back and go wandering, not subject to anyone's authority. This particular swagman was also not going to be subject to anyone's authority. He was free to camp wherever he wanted, free to roam, free to steal a sheep if he wanted, and free to take his own life so the troopers couldn't take away his freedom.

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Nicole Gorczany

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Q: What does means waltzing Matilda?
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Related questions

What does Matilda mean in Australia?

"Matilda", as in the song "Waltzing Matilda", means a swag, which is a sort of sleeping bag bundle of blanket and sheets that you roll out on the ground. Waltzing in this case means walking or traveling - together "Waltzing Matilda" means traveling out bush on foot and sleeping under the stars in your sleeping bag.


How many troopers ar in Waltzing Matilda?

There are 3 troopers in Waltzing Matilda.


What are the words to waltzing Matilda?

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 boil,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 boilYou'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.Down came a jumbuck to drink at that billabongUp jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee,And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bagYou'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 bagYou'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.Up rode the squatter mounted on his thorough-bredDown came the troopers One Two ThreeWhose that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bagYou'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.Waltzing Matilda Waltzing MatildaYou'll come a Waltzing Matilda with meWhose that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker-bagYou'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.Up jumped the swagman sprang in to the billabongYou'll never catch me alive said he,And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabongYou'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.Waltzing Matilda Waltzing MatildaYou'll come a Waltzing Matilda with meAnd his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabongYou'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.


What does the idiom who will come a waltzing Matilda with you mean?

it means when the government argue


Who was the prolific writer of waltzing Matilda?

The words to Waltzing Matilda were written by AB 'Banjo' Paterson.


Where was Waltzing Matilda established?

Waltzing Matilda is a poem and a song which was first performed at the North Gregory Hotel in Winton, Queensland.


What does a tucker bag mean from Waltzing Matilda?

what dose a tucker bag mean from the song Waltzing Matilda


What is carried in the song Waltzing Matilda?

The swagman in Waltzing Matilda caries a swag, which is simply a bundle with all his possessions.


Is waltzing Matilda a ballad?

Waltzing Matilda is considered an old country Australian folk song and a bush ballad.


Did Andrew Barton Paterson write Waltzing Matilda?

Yes. Andrew Barton 'Banjo' Paterson wrote Waltzing Matilda.


What is the national song of australia which is not the national anthem?

Waltzing Matilda is considered the non-official Australian anthem.


Is Waltzing Matilda a narrative poem?

Yes, "Waltzing Matilda" could be said to be a narrative poem as it tells a story in ballad form.