Waltzing Matilda
(click voicing to view and
hear online)
Two-part
Three-part
According to Australian
understanding, a "matilda" is the pack containing the personal belongings
of a "swagman," a man who seeks casual work while traveling about carrying on
his back his portable shelter that is rolled up with his belongings inside. He
calls this bundle a "swag". Thus in antiquated Australian Pidgin, he is
"waltzing" his "matilda," or as we would say it in America, he is "carrying his
backpack." As the two verses of song's lyrics indicate, he's resting under the
shade of a "coolibah" (an Australian gum tree) waiting for his "billy" (a
metal pot) to boil. Evidently he sees a sheep grazing nearby. He grabs the "jambuck"
(sheep) and jams it in his "tucker-bag" (a container that protects his food)
and takes off with it. If we were to sing the remaining verses of the
song, we would find that the owner of the land arrives with the authorities to
arrest him. He immediately jumps in the "billabong" (a large meandering lake)
and commits suicide. As the legend goes, his ghost may be heard by those
who pass that area to this very day.
Access the
two-part
and
three-part
variable voicing chart to see the options that are
available. It is published in the three-part version only, which can be
sung as a two-part setting, if desired, since Part III is optional..
Words:
Andrew Barton "Banjo" Paterson
Music:
Australian Bush Song
Two- and Three-part Variable
Voicing with Piano
Arranged by Gwyneth Cooper
CP Catalog #U117451
You may Order or
 from J.W.
Pepper
USE KEYWORDS:
Waltzing Matilda Gwyneth
Cooper Cambiata Press
WITHIN:
All Information (drop-down)
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ATTENTION PLEASE
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When you click the
three-part setting of Waltzing Matilda you will be
able to access an engraved copy of the piece. When the new page
appears, if you haven't already downloaded the scorch plug-in, you will
be asked to do so. This plug-in gives you access to all the scores on
the Cambiata Press website. After the music appears on your
screen, there are TWO WAYS to view and hear it:
1. Click
the "play" icon and you will hear the piece played electronically, and
as it plays, the cursor will lead your vision through the piece.
Read the text as you listen to the music.
2. Click
the "Hear Choir with Real Player" link (upper right hand corner) to
hear a choral ensemble sing the piece. Use the Sibelius "page"
icon to move the pages of the engraved copy manually as you listen.
Do not click the "play" icon while the ensemble is singing or you will
hear both renditions simultaneously.
Download Real Player.
The three-part setting is
presented in this choral rendition.
Sung by the Cambiata Singers
of the Arkansas Boys Choir,
Don L. Collins, Director
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