What is the name of the swagman down by the billabong in Waltzing Matilda?

Yesterday we took a day tour to the Mary River wetlands and a gentle boat trip out on the Corroboree Billabong to see the bird life and hunt down real crocs. So splendid being picked up from our caravan park at the very reasonable hour of 10.15am, chauffeured to the billabong via Humpty Doo pub, catch the wildlife out on the lake and all with lunch included.

Four nights we had in Darwin.
Pursued all the normal touristy things; the waterfront and cafes; the museum and art gallery and more cafes; Fishermans’ wharf and cafes; Mitchell St eateries; Casurina shopping centre and a gem called the Casurina Club.

Today (Thursday) we travelled down the Stuart Highway to Katherine once again, for out last visit was only fleeting and this time we plan to see the Katherine Gorge etc.

Then it is off toward Mt Isa and the inland Queensland route southward.

Rainbow Bee Eater, a beautifully coloured little bird in flight. I may try and Google a better picture.
Rainbow Bee Eater, a beautifully coloured little bird in flight. I may try and Google a better picture.
Water lilies abound everywhere. We even spotted a couple of those fragile little wader birds flitting across the pads.
Water lilies abound everywhere. We even spotted a couple of those fragile little wader birds flitting across the pads.
Crocs have a good life just lazing around. No wonder they live to a great age. We must have seen about 30 of them.
Crocs have a good life just lazing around. No wonder they live to a great age. We must have seen about 30 of them.

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Rainbow Bee Eater
Rainbow Bee Eater

And the the name of the swagman down by the billabong?

Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong
Under the shade of a coolibah tree
Andy sang as he watched and waited ’til his billy boiled
Who’ll come a-waltzing, Matilda, with me?
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
Who’ll come a-waltzing, Matilda, with me
Andy sang as he watched and waited ’til his billy boiled

Who’ll come a-waltzing, Matilda, with me?

One thought on “What is the name of the swagman down by the billabong in Waltzing Matilda?”

  1. Very interested to learn of your stay in Darwin and surrounds ! You may recall that Scott and Sasha lived in Darwin for 2 years whilst Scott was project Engineer on a residential / marina development called Bayview Haven. We visited them twice during this time and did all the sorts of things that you have been doing.
    Cheers
    Ian & Barb

    Reply

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