Waltzing Matilda
The Hit Crew Lyrics

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Once a jolly swagman (traveler)
Sat beside the billabong (lake)
Under the shade of the coolibah tree
And he sang as he sat
And waited by the billabong (lake)
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 sat
And waited by the billabong
You′ll come a waltzing Matilda
With me

Down came a jumbuck (sheep)
To drink beside the billabong (lake)
Up jumped the swagman (traveler)
And seized him with glee
And he sang as he tucked
That jumbuck in his tuckerbag (backpack)
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 sat
And waited by the billabong
You′ll come a waltzing Matilda
With me

Once a jolly traveler
Sat beside the clear blue lake
Under the shade of the tall, tall tree
And he sang as he sat
And waited by the clear blue lake
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 sat
And waited by the billabong

You′ll come a waltzing Matilda
With me

Overall Meaning

The Hit Crew's "Waltzing Matilda" is a classic Australian folk song that tells the story of a jolly swagman, or traveler, who sits next to a billabong, a small lake or pond, under the shade of a coolibah tree, and begins to sing. He sings about a beautiful young woman, Matilda, who he hopes will come "waltzing" with him. The song is filled with nostalgia for the Australian bush and the simple, carefree life of the traveler.

However, the peaceful scene is interrupted when a jumbuck, or sheep, comes to drink at the billabong. The traveler jumps up, captures the sheep with glee, and adds it to his tuckerbag, or backpack. He continues to sing his invitation to Matilda, but it is tinged with a sense of foreboding, as he knows he may be pursued for stealing the sheep.

Overall, "Waltzing Matilda" is a poetic tribute to the life of the Australian swagman and the beauty of the Outback, while also revealing the hardships and difficulties that come with living off the land.

Line by Line Meaning

Once a jolly swagman
A happy traveler

Sat beside the billabong
Sitting next to the lake

Under the shade of the coolibah tree
Enjoying the shade from the coolibah, a type of tree in Australia

And he sang as he sat
Enjoying the scenery, the traveler sang a tune

And waited by the billabong
Waiting by the lake

You'll come a waltzing Matilda
You will join me and we'll wander aimlessly

With me
Together

Waltzing Matilda
Wandering aimlessly

You'll come a waltzing
You'll come along wandering aimlessly

Matilda with me
Together with me

Down came a jumbuck
A sheep appeared