Renowned Australian folk musician and singer Dave de Hugard has been singing and researching ‘Waltzing Matilda’, in one version or another, for many years. He has now released the fruits of his labours – a different angle on the origins of the famous song and a compelling new composition based on the original.
You can read about what ‘Banjo’ Paterson may have had on his mind when composing the first version of ‘Waltzing Matilda’ here
Listen to Dave sing his new song, ‘Waltzing Matilda: The Real Swagman’s Story’ here. (scroll to bottom of page)
Coincidentally, Dave also has a couple of new album releases out and available here
In the meantime, here are the lyrics of the new song:
'WALTZING MATILDA: THE REAL SWAGMAN'S STORY.'
There once was a swagman camped by the billabong,
Under the shade of a Coolibah tree.
He sang as he looked, at his old billy boiling,
“Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?”
“Who'll come a-waltzing, waltzing Matilda
Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?
A billy, a swag, carrying a water bag,
Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?”
Down came a jumbuk to drink at the billabong
Up jumped the swagman, he grabbed it with glee.
He sang as he put it away in his tucker bag,
“You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me.”
“Who'll come a-waltzing, waltzing Matilda
Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?
A billy, a swag, carrying a water bag,
Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?”
These were troubled times – shearer's camps full.
Troops, police, everywhere – they would not clip that wool.
He saw the law a-comin' – something bothered him...
It could hav e been the jumbuk...or were they comin' after him?
“What they're after I don't know – I'm not gonna wait and see!”
He doused the fire, then into the billabong went he.
“For me Liberty!” but this was not to be...
Sadly he drowned by that Coolibah tree.
No more, no more would he waltz his Matilda,
Or throw down his swag 'neath the Coolibah tree,
Or sing away merrily, as he made his billy tea,
“Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?”
There is a little more to this swagman story
I will tell you something that has been told to me
You can still hear him sing, if you listen carefully,
Singing merrily away 'neath that Coolibah tree.
“Who'll come a-waltzing, waltzing Matilda
Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?
A billy, a swag, carrying a water bag,
Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?”
(c) Dave de Hugard
Castlemaine
January 2026
Bob Macpherson, 3rd from right, posing with the three policemen he rode out with in September 1984 to the striking shearer’s camp after they burnt down his woolshed.
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