Waltzing Matilda
View chords used in this chart
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)
[Refrão]
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
[Refrão]
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:
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
How to play Waltzing Matilda
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is C. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.