Andrew Barton “Banjo” Patterson

Australian Poet.

Andrew Barton Patterson, poet, journalist, lawyer, jockey, soldier and farmer is one of the best-loved figures of Australian literature. He wrote “Waltzing Matilda”, “The Man from Snowy River”, “Clancy of the Overflow” and many other tales and poems. He was born on February 17, 1864, at Narambla, New South Wales. He was the grandson of Robert Barton, and great-grandson of General Barton of the Waterfoot, Pettigo. In 1840 Robert married Emile Darval and their second daughter married Andrew B. Paterson and the famous Andrew Barton Paterson was their son. His pseudonym, “The Banjo”, was the name of a racehorse his father had once owned. His early life was spent near Yass in NSW, and this is where he became acquainted with the colourful bush characters that he wrote about so vividly in his later life He died in 1941, just short of his 77th birthday. He created enduring songs and tales, not least being Waltzing Matilda, which is the most recognisable of Australian songs and known world-wide

“Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong
Under the shade of a coolibah tree
And he sang as he watched and waited ‘til his billy boiled
You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me.”