the 1890s and the Great Depression of the 1930s. Many unemployed men travelled the rural areas of Australia on foot, their few meagre possessions rolled up and carried in their swag. Their swag was frequently referred to as "Matilda", hence "Waltzing Matilda" refers to walking with a swag. Typically, they would seek work in farms and towns they travelled through, and in many cases farmers, if no permanent work was available, would provide food and shelter in return for some menial task.

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