2025
The unofficial Australian national song, ‘Waltzing Matilda’ is about a swagman (an itinerant) stealing a sheep that has come to drink from the billabong at which the swaggie has set up camp for the night. From out of nowhere comes a squatter (the owner of the sheep) and three policemen who attempt to take the swaggie into custody. ‘You’ll never take me alive’ the swaggie says and jumps into the billabong and drowns.
Swaggies and their food is a theme in many Australian folk songs as are alcohol, damper (an unleavened bread) alcohol, and tea.
