History of Australia (1851–1900) drovers, stockmen and shearers were popular during the 19th century. Convict and bushranger verses often railed against government tyranny. Classic bush songs on such themes include: The Wild Colonial Boy, Click Go The Shears, The Dying Stockman and Moreton Bay. For much of its history, Australia's bush music belonged to an oral and folkloric tradition, and was only later published in print in volumes such as Banjo Paterson's "Old Bush Songs", in the 1890s. The lyrics of Waltzing Matilda, often regarded as Australia's unofficial National anthem, and a quintessential early Australian country music song were composed by the poet Banjo
Waltzing Matilda a billabong Under the shade of the coolibah tree And he sang as he looked at his old billy boiling Who'll come a waltzing Matilda with me? "Chorus:" Who'll come a'waltzing Matilda 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 with 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