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Waltzing Matilda

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Cmajor

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Waltzing Matilda Guitar Chords (C)
Back in the 60’s American schools taught songs from
 other lands, but they only taught the first verse. 
Today it is venerated as the Australian equivalent of 
Amazing Grace and Star Spangled Banner but you'll have
to hear all the verses to explain why it never became
an official national official anthem. The late Rolf 
Harris explained Aussie english dialect something like this: 
Verse 1
COnce a jolly Gswagman Amcamped beside a Fbillabong
(Hobo, travelling contractor)       (a lakeshore)
CUnder the Amshade of cGoolibah treG7e
                   (a kind of tree they don’t have here)
And he Csang as he Gwatched and Amwaited 'til his Fbilly boiled
                    (billy=coffee. No Starbucks in the outback)
CYou'll come a-waltzing MatGilda with mCe
                       (his bedroll and dancing partner)
Chorus:
CWaltzing MatildaF, waltzing Matilda
CYou'll come a Amwaltzing MatFilda with Gme
*And he Csang as he Gwatched and Amwaited 'til his Fbilly boiled
CYou'll come Ama-waltzing MatGilda with mCe
Verse 2    
CDown came a jGumbuck tAmo dri-ink at Fthat billabong
            (sheep)
CUp jumped the sAmwagman and gGrabbed him with G7glee
                                      (apparent free lunch)
And he sanCg as he stuGffed that juAmmbuck in his tucFker-bag
                                      (that’s a bag for your tucker)
CYou'll come Ama-waltzing MatGilda with mCe
[Chorus]
Verse 3  
CUp rode the sGquatter, Ammounted on Fhis thoroughbred
    (man who owns the sheep)         (fancy name for horse)
UCp rode the trooAmpers, one, tGwo, three (the cG7ops, guns drawn)
"CWho’s that jolly juGmbuck yoAmu've got in your tuFcker-bag?"
                         (oops no free lunch)
CYou'll come Ama-waltzing MatGilda with mCe
Chorus:
CWaltzing MatildaF, waltzing Matilda
CYou'll come a Amwaltzing MatFilda with Gme
"Who’s Cthat jolly Gjumbuck you'Amve got in your tFucker-bag?"
CYou'll come Ama-waltzing MatGilda with mCe
Verse 4: Stealing sheep was a death sentence then, so he chose freedom.
CUp jumped the Gswagman Amand sprang Finto that billabong (splash)
"CYou'll never tAmake me aliveF!", said Ghe  (he can’t swim)
And his Cghost may bGe heard as yAmou stroll beside that Fbillabong
CYou'll come Ama-waltzing MatGilda with mCe
Chorus
Extra Chorus Ending
And Cthat’s why this Gsong will Amnever be Australia’s Fnational anthem
YoCu'll come a-Amwaltzing MatilGda with meC  

All chords in this song (5)

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Waltzing Matilda

by Rolf Harris

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Waltzing Matilda Guitar Chords (C)

Back in the 60’s American schools taught songs from

other lands, but they only taught the first verse.

Today it is venerated as the Australian equivalent of

Amazing Grace and Star Spangled Banner but you'll have

to hear all the verses to explain why it never became

an official national official anthem. The late Rolf

Harris explained Aussie english dialect something like this:

Verse 1

C G Am F

Once a jolly swagman camped beside a billabong

(Hobo, travelling contractor) (a lakeshore)

C Am G G7

Under the shade of coolibah tree

(a kind of tree they don’t have here)

C G Am F

And he sang as he watched and waited 'til his billy boiled

(billy=coffee. No Starbucks in the outback)

C G C

You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me

(his bedroll and dancing partner)

Chorus:

C F

Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda

C Am F G

You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me

C G Am F

*And he sang as he watched and waited 'til his billy boiled

C Am G C

You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me

Verse 2

C G Am F

Down came a jumbuck to dri-ink at that billabong

(sheep)

C Am G G7

Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee

(apparent free lunch)

C G Am F

And he sang as he stuffed that jumbuck in his tucker-bag

(that’s a bag for your tucker)

C Am G C

You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me

[Chorus]

Verse 3

C G Am F

Up rode the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred

(man who owns the sheep) (fancy name for horse)

C Am G G7

Up rode the troopers, one, two, three (the cops, guns drawn)

C G Am F

"Who’s that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker-bag?"

(oops no free lunch)

C Am G C

You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me

Chorus:

C F

Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda

C Am F G

You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me

C G Am F

"Who’s that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker-bag?"

C Am G C

You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me

Verse 4: Stealing sheep was a death sentence then, so he chose freedom.

C G Am F

Up jumped the swagman and sprang into that billabong (splash)

C Am F G

"You'll never take me alive!", said he (he can’t swim)

C G Am F

And his ghost may be heard as you stroll beside that billabong

C Am G C

You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me

Chorus

Extra Chorus Ending

C G Am F

And that’s why this song will never be Australia’s national anthem

C Am G C

You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me

About Waltzing Matilda Chords by Rolf Harris

Learn how to play Waltzing Matilda by Rolf Harris with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Waltzing Matilda chords”, “Waltzing Matilda guitar chords”, or “Rolf Harris Waltzing Matilda chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Waltzing Matilda chords and for experienced players who want accurate Waltzing Matilda lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, G, Am, F, G7.

FAQ — Waltzing Matilda by Rolf Harris

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What key is "Waltzing Matilda" in?

The chords for "Waltzing Matilda" show the original chord names (including C, G, Am, F, G7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.