A. B. 'Banjo' Patterson's Waltzing Matilda Historical Feature:

The Legend

In 1895, A. B. 'Banjo' Paterson was working as a journalist in the Queensland town of Winton. Local folklore says that during his stay he was told the story of a wanted swagman who had recently drowned by jumping into a billabong to escape arrest. This story, and other local tales about swagmen 'waltzing their matildas', or carrying their swags, was the basis for the now immortal words of 'Waltzing Matilda'. Stranded at Dagworth Station by the Wet, Paterson put the words to a Scottish folk song, played on the Autoharp by his host. The song was first performed on 6 April 1895 at a local pub. It was an instant success and soon became the nation's favourite song.

Waltzing Matilda (Carrying a swag)

Oh! there once was a swagman camped in a Billabong,
Under the shade of a Coolabah tree;
And he sang as he looked at his old billy boiling,
'Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?'

Who'll come a-waltzing, my darling,
Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?
Waltzing Matilda and leading a water-bag -
Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?

Down came a jumbuck to drink at the water-hole,
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him in glee;
And he sang as he stowed him away in his tucker-bag,
'You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me.'

Down came the Squatter a-riding his thoroughbred:
Down came Policemen - one, two and three.
'Whose is the jumbuck you've got in the tucker bag?
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me.'

But the Swagman, he up and he jumped in the water-hole,
Drowning himself by the Coolabah tree;
And his ghost may be heard as it sings in the Billabong
'Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?

Source: Certificate of Authenticity accompanying the 1995 One Dollar Sterling Silver Proof Coin with interrupted edge milling.

• 1995 Dollar - 'C' Mintmark
• 1995 Dollar - 'S' Mintmark
• 1995 Dollar - 'B' Mintmark
• 1995 Dollar - 'M' Mintmark
• 1995 Silver Dollar - Interrupted milling and
• 1995 Silver Dollar - Continuous milling