Sydney Lionel May Sydney Lionel May i(A1590 works by)
Born: Established: 30 May 1882 ; Died: Ceased: 21 Nov 1968
Gender: Male
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2 4 y separately published work icon The Story of 'Waltzing Matilda' Sydney Lionel May , Brisbane : W. R. Smith and Paterson , 1944 Z1265474 1944 single work criticism

May argues that the poem was written by Patterson at Dagworth Station in 1895 with the drowning of a swagman at Combo Waterhole providing the story. A melody played by Christina Macpherson provided Paterson with its rhythm. The song did not enter the popular consciousness on a large scale until 1903 when an arrangement by Marie Cowan of Sydney was printed.

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