A little Welsh trivia about the 'Jolly Swagman' from the song 'Waltzing Matilda'.

[Siwsan]

(In preparation for St. David's Day (March 1.)

Born on this day 1818 at Blaenplwyf farm near Ystrad Aeron, Ceredigion,

Joseph Jenkins who famously emigrated to Australia because of a nagging wife and was reputedly 'The Jolly Swagman' of the popular song “Waltzing Matilda”

Jenkins (1818 – 1898) was a farmer who also won prizes at Eisteddfodau for his poetry. When he was 51, Joseph emigrated to Australia, leaving behind his wife and family and initially became a Swagman, travelling from farm to farm to find work. He later worked as a street cleaner in the town of Maldon in Victoria, returning to Wales when he became homesick at the age of 76. During his time in Australia, Jenkins kept a diary and he posthumously became famous after they were published as the Diary of a Welsh Swagman.

In 1994 a water drinking fountain and plaque were unveiled at the railway station in Maldon, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his departure from the town.

[frazzled]

1. Commemorating your departure?

That’s pretty funny. Usually one’s birth or death date would be commemorated, not the day you left town to go back home. And at the train station yet, on a water fountain. It sounds like the Aussies were happy to see him go.

[Siwsan]

2. Well, he was an interloping Swagman!

Bore Da!!