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A Matilda is a swag or bundle made of cloth in which a swagman would tie his belongings on his back as he travelled around.

In Waltzing Matilda, an Australian swagman (homeless drifter who wandered between towns and cattle/sheepstations) stops by a billabong, which is a watehole 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 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.

Simply put, Waltzing Matilda refers to a man who carries his swag around the countryside, seeking work or at least a place to camp or have a feed for the night. Matilda is the name for the swag, and the term Waltzing describes a man who travels seeking work. So, he waltzes Matilda.

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13y ago

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