Waltzing Matilda 

Waltzing Matilda was created in 1895 by the Australian poet "Banjo" Paterson. While visiting a sheep station in Winton, Central-Western Queensland, he came across the melody played by Christina MacPherson at a meeting. It is said that the melody was similar to a Scottish song. He immediately loved the tune and started to write the lyrics.

It is quite possible that the story in the song was inspired by true events happened in Australia in 1891: the Great Shearer’s Strike. Wool workers took action to improve their working conditions and besides riots and protests, they also burn a wool shed at the sheep station which Paterson visited later. The police chased a man who was finally found dead. In the song, a worker (swagman) travelling on foot (waltzing) and carrying his things in a pack (matilda) happens to find a sheep (jumbuck) and keeps it. The owner (squatter) and three police officers pursued him but he preferred drowning in a watering hole (billabong) rather than being caught.

The song is considered an unofficial national anthem and it is frequently sung in important events. There is also a museum devoted to the song in Winton.

Here you have got the sound file: