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Versions
> The
mainstream, popular version
Changes in the song’s characterThe use of 'Waltzing Matilda' to advertise Billy Tea changed elements of the words and music in the published version by Marie Cowan. The imagery proved a perfect association for the brand of tea that became an Australia icon. (view image) Advertisements for Billy Tea appeared on the back cover of the music and the word ‘billy’ was repeatedly used to replace the phrase ‘leading the waterbag’ in the text of the song: Original verse 1, line 3-4: And he sang as he looked at the old billy boiling,
Chorus: Who’ll come a–waltzing Matilda my darling,
Replaced in Cowan version with verse 1, lines 3-4: And he sang as he watched and waited till his ‘billy’
boiled, Chorus, repeating the ‘billy’ line for maximum effect: Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda The desire to advertise the invigorating qualities of drinking Billy Tea was probably responsible for the swagman becoming a ‘jolly swagman’ in the opening line of the song. The bravado of the line in the last verse ‘“You’ll never catch me alive,” said he’—in defiance of the troopers—replaces the sad and haunting suicide of the swagman in the original ‘drowning himself by the coolibah tree’. The notable changes to the music evident in the Cowan version are:
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