In his book, “The A - Z of Australian Facts, Myths and Legends,” Bruce Elder relates two incidents, which, together with a third incident, were the inspiration for Banjo Patterson’s famous “Waltzing Matilda.”
In1895 the daughter of the owner of Dagworth Sheep Station, Christina Macpherson, invited an old school friend, Sarah Riley, and her fiancée, an up-and coming lawyer cum bush poet by the name of Andrew Paterson, to stay for an extended visit. Dagworth was near Winton, Queensland.
During the visit Christina related an event that had occurred the previous year during the shearers’ revolt over poor wages where a leading unionist, one Sam Hoffmeister, was wounded. He was later found dead beside a waterhole. His mates claimed he had committed suicide.
Whilst exploring the sheep station, Patterson came across a dead sheep that had obviously been slaughtered; probably by a swagman because portions of the animal’s body had been carefully removed. So, there we are – the essential ingredients for Patterson’s poem – a suicide, a swagman, a waterhole and a slaughtered sheep.
But there is another angle whose source I don’t remember. Christina’s brother, Bob, together with three policemen recovered Hoffmeister’s body from the waterhole. So, there’s the fifth ingredient – the squatter and three troopers.
During Patterson’s time at Dagworth, Christina played the sprightly and appealing Scottish tune “Thou Bonnie Wood of Craigielea” which greatly impressed Patterson. Christina couldn’t recall the words to the tune, but Paterson certainly had his own words, and “Waltzing Matilda” was born.
Footnotes:-
- Dagworth. What a whimsical name for a sheep station! Someone certainly had a sense of humour!
- Unfortunately for Sarah Riley, Patterson fell in love with Christina who replaced Sarah as Patterson’s fiancée. He later broke off his engagement to Christina. Neither woman ever married; but I wonder if they remained friends?
- The waterhole where Hoffmeister’s body was found was known as Combo Waterhole. It’s not known if it was truly a billabong.
- How did Patterson get the nickname “Banjo”? His father’s favorite horse was so named and Patterson was a great horse lover.
- Patterson overheard a jackeroo at Dagworth using the expression “waltzing matilda” which appealed to him.
- I haven’t been able to find any documented evidence as to the origin of the expression. Could it mean “tramping the road ahead” or possibly, Carrying one’s possessions e.g. swag”?
Let’s hear from you if you have any suggestions!