y separately published work icon Fair Dinkum Matilda single work   criticism  
Issue Details: First known date: 1973... 1973 Fair Dinkum Matilda
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Contents

* Contents derived from the Charters Towers, Charters Towers area, Far North Queensland, Queensland,:Mimosa Press , 1973 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
Introduction, Richard Magoffin , single work prose
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.
 (p. 9 - 11)
Dagworth Burns Again, Richard Magoffin , single work prose
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.
 (p. 13 - 16)
Matilda, Richard Magoffin , single work prose
Magoffin describes the possible origins of the meaning of 'Matilda' and defends Paterson against accusations of plagiarism.
 (p. 17 - 20)
A. B. Paterson, Richard Magoffin , single work prose biography
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.
 (p. 21 -32)
The Ghost, Richard Magoffin , single work prose
Magoffin offers his opinion on Paterson's political views.
 (p. 33 - 38)
Ireland, Scotland and Victoria, Richard Magoffin , single work prose
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'.
 (p. 39 - 49)
Thomas Bulch, Richard Magoffin , single work prose
Relates the life of musician and bandsman Thomas Bulch who, as Geoffrey Parker, wrote the march arrangement of 'Craigielee'.
 (p. 50 - 53)
Christina MacPherson, Richard Magoffin , single work prose
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'.
 (p. 54 - 67)
The Jumbuck, Richard Magoffin , single work prose
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'.
 (p. 68 - 73)
Swagman, Squatters and Troopers, Richard Magoffin , single work prose
Magoffin presents the results of his investigation into suicides in the Winton district prior to 1895 which could have a relation to 'Waltzing Matilda'.
 (p. 74 - 86)
The Boiling Billy, Richard Magoffin , single work prose
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.
 (p. 87 - 91)
By the Billabong, Richard Magoffin , single work prose biography
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
 (p. 92 - 97)
The Book-Keepers, Richard Magoffin , single work prose
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.
 (p. 98 - 99)
Winton, Richard Magoffin , single work prose
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.
 (p. 100 - 110)
Hughenden, Richard Magoffin , single work prose
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.
 (p. 111 - 117)
Marie Cowan, Richard Magoffin , single work prose
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.
 (p. 118 - 125)
Oscar and Harry : The Mendelsohn Myth, Richard Magoffin , single work prose
Magoffin presents detailed evidence to dispute Mendelsohn's claim that Harry A. Nathan was the composer.
 (p. 126 - 137)
Harry Pearce and Josephine Pene, Richard Magoffin , single work prose
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.
 (p. 138 - 144)
Cloncurry, Richard Magoffin , single work prose
Magoffin presents evidence for the origins of a version of 'Waltzing Matilda' which he calls the Cloncurry tune.
 (p. 145 - 150)
The Manuscript, Richard Magoffin , single work prose
Magoffin reveals how Christina Macpherson's original manuscript came to light, thus validating his theory of the origins of 'Waltzing Matilda'.
 (p. 151 - 164)
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