Waltzing Matilda
Frank Ifield Lyrics

Once a jolly swagman camped by a Billabong
A happy wanderer rested by a small pool of water

Under the shade of a Coolabah tree
Sheltered from the sun beneath a type of eucalyptus tree

And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled
He sang to pass the time while waiting for his pot of water to boil

"Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?"
He asked if anyone wanted to join him and his traveling pack

Down came a jumbuck to drink at the water hole
A sheep came down to drink from the pool

Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee
The wanderer joyfully caught the sheep

And he sang as he stowed him away in his tucker bag,
He hummed a tune while putting the sheep in his sack

"You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me"
He invited the sheep to come with him and his companions

Up rode the Squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred
A wealthy landowner arrived on his prized horse

Up rode the Trooper - one, two, three
A police officer arrived with backup, quickly at his side

"Where's that jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?"
The officer asked where the sheep was being held

"You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me"
He ordered the man to come with them

But the swagman he up and jumped in the water hole
The wanderer unexpectedly leaped into the pool

Drowning himself by the Coolabah tree,
Unfortunately, he met his doom in the water beneath the tree

And his ghost may be heard as it sings in the Billabong,
They say his spirit can be heard singing at the pool

"Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?"
He still asks if anyone will join him on his travels, even in the afterlife