Waltzing Matilda

by A.B. Paterson, Desmond Digby (Illustrator)

Illustrated edition of 'Banjo' Paterson's famous poem of the swagman camped by a billabong, under the shade of a coolabah tree. Contains a glossary.

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Fiction, Childrens, Australia

36 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Andrew Barton 'Banjo' Paterson was an Australian poet, ballad writer, journalist and horseman. See also Banjo Paterson.

A. B. 'Banjo' Paterson, known as Barty to his family, was born Andrew Barton Paterson at Narrambla, near Orange on 17 February 1864. His parents, Andrew Bogle and Rose Isabella Paterson were graziers on Illalong station in the Yass district.

Paterson's early education took place at home under a governess and then at the bush school in Binalong, the nearest township. From about the age of ten years he attended the Sydney Grammar School. He lived with his grandmother in Gladesville and spent the school holidays at Illalong station with his family.

After completing school the 16-year-old Paterson was articled to a Sydney firm of solicitors, Spain and Salway. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1886 and formed the legal partnership, Street and Paterson. During these years Paterson began publishing verse in the Bulletin and Sydney Mail under the pseudonyms 'B' and 'The Banjo'.

In 1895, at the age of 31 and still in partnership with Street, Andrew Barton Paterson achieved two milestones in Australian writing. He composed his now famous ballad 'Waltzing Matilda' and his first book, The Man from Snowy River, and other verses, was published by Angus & Robertson, marking the beginning of an epoch in Australian publishing. This hallmark publication sold out its first edition within a week and went through four editions in six months, making Paterson second only to Kipling in popularity among living poets writing in English. His poetry continues to sell well today and is available in many editions, some of which are illustrated.

Paterson travelled to South Africa in 1899 as special war correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald during the Boer War, and to China in 1901 with the intention of covering the Boxer Rebellion but he arrived after the uprising was over. By 1902 Paterson had left the legal profession. The following year he was appointed Editor of the Evening News (Sydney), a position he held until 1908 when he resigned to take over a property in Wee Jasper.

In 1903 he married Alice Walker in Tenterfield. Their first home was in Queen Street, Woollahra. The Patersons had two children, Grace born in 1904 and Hugh born in 1906.

During World War I Paterson sailed to Europe hoping for an appointment as war correspondent. Instead, during the course of the war he was attached as an ambulance driver to the Australian Voluntary Hospital in France and was commissioned to the 2nd Remount Unit of the AIF. He was eventually promoted to Major.

In Australia again he returned to journalism, retiring in 1930. He was created CBE in 1939. At the time of his death on 5 February 1941 his reputation as the principal folk poet of Australia was secure. His body of work included seven volumes of poetry and prose in many editions, a collection The Collected Verse of A.B. Paterson (1923), a book for children The Animals Noah Forgot (1933), and an anthology The Old Bush Songs (1905), in addition to his many pieces of journalism and reportage.

Paterson's role in Australian culture has been celebrated on the Australian $10 note.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu5byI...

Reviews

[Anna Kuhl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations!

I love the extra panels on each page showing the struggle of the shearers as they went on strike for fairer pay as well as the old newspaper clippings showing headlines about the shearers, police, and even bushrangers.

The illustrator did a fantastic job of melding the poem (this is not the song!) with the real-life events that inspired Banjo Paterson to pen it.

[Riley G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just read the poem, not the illustrated version. It’s a fun poem with a fun rhythm. Also a good song, especially Ray Chen’s string quartet version, which I recommend listening to!

[Leonie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunningly illustrated story book version of the well known Australian song. My only complaint is that it's very difficult to read this without breaking into song.

[☁︎ ☾ ｡⋆ morgan ⋆｡☽ ☁︎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

the illustrations here are wonderful and remind me of historical paintings like Liberty Leading the People and The Angelus. the black horses were so cool too! at some point, i wondered if Paul Bunyan was going to jump out and make an appearance. i just wonder if it would be better to have something brighter and colorful in the paintings rather than it being dusky and gloomy. perhaps the intention was to illustrate the historical context of Australia at the time (as per the poem), in which case the color choice makes sense. i think i wish more was going on in the illustrations to help reinforce the poem.

[Chloe Simpson-White · Rating 3 out of 5]

i was hoping that the book would have more detail. you get word for word the song in this book. There is nothing wrong with that, however you could more easily sing the song and have the same understanding and have to turn less pages...

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations and research in this book blew me away. There's so much extra history hidden in the pictures and newspapers snippets throughout the book, that actually had my kids engaged and actively seeking further information. I really loved this version.

[Kylie Abecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ‘Short History’ and Glossary are really at the wrong end of the book, as it made it very difficult for the children to follow what was actually happening, especially as the words and pictures seemed so out-of-place with one another.

[Genetic Cuckoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A children's book explaining the historical context for the original song and its relationship to the situation in Australia at the time. It was quite sad but beautifully illustrated and a great tool to explain to young children about these issues.

[Jennifer Wadman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeously illustrated poem with helpful glossary. Good resource for Australia unit study. My edition did not include the panels linking the text to the sheep shearers upraising so more research required.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the fact that this version has a short history of the song and a glossary for those unfamiliar with Aussie slang at the back. The illustrations let it down, however, with dull colouring that didn’t hold my daughter’s attention, despite my fabulous singing 🤣

[Earthing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful illustrations in this edition.

[Shannon Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

BEAUTIFUL illustrations. Love the tiny size; reminds me of the Beatrix Potter tiny books. Kind of a harsh story for little ones.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The artwork is captivating

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic illustrations to go along with literature. Loved reading this to child.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Waltzing Matilda, A.B. Paterson
The iconic poem that is far more bizarre than the nationalism that it evokes ***

[Nigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This well known story would not have had as much meaning to me if it wasn't for the wonderful illustrations. The pictures draw you in like no other somehow.

[Abi Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read other poems by Paterson, due to my own interests, I found this version of Waltzing Matilda to be very suitable for use in both KS 1 and KS 2. There is a variation for the song version that is sung as alternative national anthem for Australia but that adds to the appeal in my opinion.

There are good cross curricular links within the book, including language use, art and history; and it would make a good inclusion for any project based on Australia.

[Yuhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here i am again, writing a 250 word review, for a book that likely has less words than that. A 25 page popup book illustrating the famous Australian song 'Waltzing Matilda'. This song is the most covered Australian song ever. This song was written in 1895, and even today is still popular with all ages. The popup book was a fun way to bring the song to life, and to introduce the song further to children in a fun singsong way. Another book read to me over skype by my friend.

In case you don't know the lyrics:
Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong

Under the shade of a coolibah tree, 

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

You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda

You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me

He sang as he watched and waited 'til his billy boiled,

you'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me
Down came a jumbuck to drink at the billabong, 

Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee,

he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag,

you'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda

you'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me

he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag, 

You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me
Up rode the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred, 

Up rode the troopers, one, two, three, 

With the jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?

You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me.


Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda

You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me

With the jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, you scoundrel with me.


Up jumped the swagman and sprang into the billabong, 

You'll never catch me alive, said he, 

And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong,

you'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me.


Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda

You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me

his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong, 

You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me.

Oh, you'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me.

[Jack Kirby and the X-man · Rating 3 out of 5]

A.B. Paterson is an Australia legend! Waltzing Matilda has become an unofficial national anthem of Australia. So what could go wrong with a picture book version?

The illustrations are pretty fantasic.

The main issue I have with this book is mainly to do with the success of the song version of the poem. The song and the poem have slightly different words, so as you try to sing the song to the book the words are all wrong!

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up when I was in Australia years ago. Opening it up again now filled in the images of this well-known song - so well-known that encountering variant lyrics is a bit disconcerting - that help this non-Australian wade through the unfamiliar idioms like "swag" and "billabong" (there's a glossary for those in the back). Digby's beautiful paintings, very earthy, capture the terrain, the carefree and rebellious spirit of the swagman, before his drowning in the billabong.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waltzing Matilda
Paterson, A.B.
is a retelling of the original poem that is the anthem of Australia with is emetic phrases and story line that you have to be there to understand
beautiful pictures

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

An illustrated telling of the poem.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I looked at this book from a landscape point-of-view. As I'm currently studying what illustrations - in children's literature and picture books - can convey about social and cultural ideologies.

[Esther Narawa]

It was a good book that then built tension in like the middle which is okay...
I would reccommend to ages 9-11 or maybe twelve just because :)

[Jass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book

[Edith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations

[Judy]

Beautifully illustrated, as always.