AustLit

Magoffin explains why he wanted to establish the origins of 'Waltzing Matilda'. The introduction opens with the version of the song published in Saltbush Bill J. P., and Other Verses in 1917.

Magoffin relates his participation in the re-enactment of the burning of the woolshed at Dagworth station, which took place during the shearers' strike of 1894. The re-enactment was organised by the B. B. C. in 1971.

Magoffin describes the possible origins of the meaning of 'Matilda' and defends Paterson against accusations of plagiarism.

Provides biographical details, including noting the number of poets in Paterson's family. Magoffin also discusses Paterson's political views, his dispute with Henry Lawson, and several of his works.

Magoffin offers his opinion on Paterson's political views.

Magoffin travels to Toowoomba to meet a Mr W. R. F. Bolton, Managing Director of Cobb & Co. at Toowoomba, whose recordings of the march 'Craigielee', heard by Miss Macpherson at the Warrnambool races in 1894, and the tune 'Thou Bonnie Wood of Craigielee' confirm Magoffin's opinions about the origins of the tune of 'Waltzing Matilda'.

Relates the life of musician and bandsman Thomas Bulch who, as Geoffrey Parker, wrote the march arrangement of 'Craigielee'.

Relates the story of the Macpherson family, including their part in the shooting of the bushranger, Mad Dan Morgan, in 1865. Also presents evidence that Christina was at the Warrnambool races in 1894, where she heard the new band arrangement of 'Craigielee'.

Argues that 'Waltzing Matilda' was written at Dagworth Station in January, 1895, not April 1895 as many authorities have asserted. Magoffin outlines the painstaking research he undertook to establish his conclusion. He also presents an imagined version of Paterson's days at Dagworth and the possible origins of the term 'jumbuck'.

Magoffin presents the results of his investigation into suicides in the Winton district prior to 1895 which could have a relation to 'Waltzing Matilda'.

Describes the burning of the shearing shed on Dagworth station by striking shearers, including statements by one of the constables, M. Daly, and Robert Macpherson.

Magoffin visits the Combo Hole, a billabong he asserts is associated with 'Waltzing Matilda'. He visualises the night the song was written during Paterson's visit to Dagworth in January, 1895 and presents some of Paterson's own recollections

Magoffin illustrates the exhaustive nature of his research in establishing that, in his opinion, 'Waltzing Matilda' was not written by a relieving bookkeeper, as asserted by other commentators.

Magoffin describes how 'Waltzing Matilda' spread, from being sung in pubs locally to much of Australia by the turn of the century, then to being sung by soldiers during the Boer War.

Magoffin reproduces a letter from a Townsville man attesting that 'Waltzing Matilda' was published on leaflets posted on the walls of several pubs in Hughenden in 1901 or 1902, before the song was first printed in Sydney in 1903. He also includes an article published in The North Australian Monthly and a letter from the author, F. P. Archer, about a parade through Hughenden by the 'Greenhide Push' singing the song, also in 1901 or 1902.

Magoffin talks to Mrs Violet Allingham about her recollections of hearing 'Waltzing Matilda' sung in 1897 when she was a child and her father was managing Kynuna. He also disputes the version of the song's origin given by Allans Music., who published it in 1903 with an arrangement by Marie Cowan, written for the tea merchants Inglis & Co. Allans subsequently designated Cowan as the composer on advice from her husband, Russell Cowan, who was the manager of Inglis & Co.

Magoffin presents detailed evidence to dispute Mendelsohn's claim that Harry A. Nathan was the composer.

Magoffin sets out his reasons for disputing Harry Pearce's argument that 'Waltzing Matilda' originated from Bob McPherson and Josephine Pene, who allegedly experimented with a 'Matilda song' based on Josephine's playing of 'The Bold Fusilier' before Paterson arrived at Dagworth in 1895. Magoffin's research shows that Josephine Pene could not have arrived in the district before 1896 and her romance with Bob Macpherson did not occur until approximately 1899.

Magoffin presents evidence for the origins of a version of 'Waltzing Matilda' which he calls the Cloncurry tune.

Magoffin reveals how Christina Macpherson's original manuscript came to light, thus validating his theory of the origins of 'Waltzing Matilda'.