Waltzing Matilda

This song epitomizes the convict heritage of colonial Australia more than any other. The song narrates the story of an itinerant worker who steals a sheep to eat. When the sheep's owner arrives with the police the worker (swagman) drowns himself in a small lake and goes on to haunt the site.

According to wikipedia Waltzing Matilda means to travel with a swag, that is, with all one's belongings on one's back wrapped in a blanket or cloth. As there were no women around the swagman would waltz with the swag for entertainment. However I disagree with wikipedia. My relatives insist that Waltzing Matilda has a sadder meaning tied to early colonial times. Matilda was the name given to the hangman’s gallows and waltzing was the death throes of the convicted. This seems plausible as stealing a sheep in those times was punishable by death.

Here are the lyrics of the song. I have added translations I italics.

Once a jolly swagman (itinerant worker) camped by a billabong (lake)
Under the shade of a coolibah (type of eucalyptus) tree,
And he sang as he watched and waited 'til his billy (kettle) boiled
"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 'til his billy boiled,"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me".

Down came a jumbuck (sheep)to drink at that billabong,
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee,
And he sang as he stowed that jumbuck in his tucker (food) bag,
"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 stowed that jumbuck in his tucker bag,
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me".

Up rode the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred (horse)
Down came the troopers (police), one, two, three,
"Where's that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?"
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me".
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me"
"Where's that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?",
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me".

Up jumped the swagman and sprang into the billabong,
"You'll never take me alive", said he,
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong,
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me".
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me
"And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong,
"You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me."

"Oh, You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me."