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Waltzing Matilda... WALTZING MATILDA... who'll go a Waltzing Matilda with me... and he hmmmmmed and he hmmmmed and then he hmmmed upon his billy boil... who'll go a waltzing Matilada with me...

Ahh, the classic verses of Banjo Pattersons 'Waltzing Matilda'. The unofficial National Anthem of Australia (or 'Straliah' as they say in the outback).

Question is, who knows the words to it, and more important (perhaps) who knows what they mean? Actually, who really cares?

Well, your intrepid backpacker and his gammy backed girlfriend travelled 1000km to find out. And came back none the wiser. So listen up buster, we did this for you.

Matilda is outback slang for a Swag - a canvas roll which stockmen carried from place to place on their backs which incorporated a bed and space for their belongings.

So, Waltzing Matilda means 'dance with my sleeping bag'? No, 'Waltzing Matilda' is extended slang for 'Walking the road'. 

Kind of romantic, or perhaps Banjo Patterson was smoking something other than Camel Lights when he wrote these lyrics. And this thought make you wonder what's going on in the minds of Australians who, allegedly, have a tear in their eye when they hear this tune - incurable romantics, or stoned weed puffers? You choose.

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