Editing Waltzing Matilda (section)

===Alternative Theories===
Christina Macpherson’s manuscript did not become well known until late in the 1900’s. Until then it was widely thought that the melody of “Waltzing Matilda” came from the English song, “The Gay Fusilier” also known as “Marching through Rochester”. It was sung to the same tune as the Nathan/Cowan “Waltzing Matilda "published in 1902/03. This song describes an event as happening in Rochester, England, in the reign of Queen Anne, 1702 to 1714. Many believed that the song was written at that time.<ref>Richardson, Mathew. “Once a Jolly Swagman” 2006. Melbourne University Press, 187 Grattan Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia. Pages 212 to 217</ref><ref>The Times (September 15, 2003) Sporting anthems. Section: Features; Page 17</ref>

<blockquote><poem>Verse: A gay fusilier was marching down through Rochester
Bound for the wars in the low country,
And he cried as he tramped through the drear streets of Rochester,
Who'll be a sojer for Marlboro with me?</poem></blockquote>
<blockquote><poem>Chorus: Who'll be a sojer, Who'll be a sojer,
Who'll be a sojer for Marlboro with me?
And he cried as he tramped through the drear streets of Rochester,
Who'll be a sojer for Marlboro with me?<ref>May, Sydney. The Story of Waltzing Matilda, 1955. W. R. Smith & Paterson PTY. LTD. Brisbane. P 27</ref></poem></blockquote>
There is, however, no written evidence that "The Gay Fusilier" existed before 1900. English folklore authority, [[Ralph Vaughan Williams]], said that the existence of the song in the early 1700's was very doubtful because its language was not appropriate to that time.<ref>Magoffin, Richard. “Waltzing Matilda, Ballad of the Fair Go”, second edition 2005, Pictorial Press, Australia, PO Box 388, Corinda, Qld, 4075 page 6</ref>The song has the pattern (musical form) popular American, which suggests a much later origin. 

In his 1987 book, Richard Magoffin suggested that the music of “Waltzing Matilda” may have originally come from an Irish Jig, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6NJRwplkMQ “Go to the Devil and Shake Yourself”], which was probably composed by Irishman, John Field, and which began to appear in print about 1797. In a letter to Magoffin, the City Librarian of Dublin Library said that he thought he could detect a slight resemblance in it to “Waltzing Matilda”. This is very flimsy evidence. Instead of checking the quality of the evidence, Magoffin went on to say that it would be nice to think that the Irish have played a part in providing Australia with her song. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Go to the Devil and Shake Yourself - John Field - Peter Medhurst |url=https://petermedhurst.com/recordings/go-to-the-devil-and-shake-yourself-john-field/ |access-date=2024-04-19}}</ref><ref>Magoffin, Richard. (1987). “Waltzing Matilda, The Story behind the Legend.” ABC Enterprises for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation P 28, 29. ISBN 0 642 53047 5</ref> 

Until the internet arrived, it was extremely difficult for researchers to access old music. Now, with [[YouTube]] and digital collections of old music, it is a quick and simple task. An audio file of [https://musescore.com/user/27827686/scores/6746627 “Go to the Devil and Shake Yourself”]can be heard, and the sheet music can be viewed, at the above links and numerous other websites. It is now obvious to anyone that there is not the slightest resemblance between it and “Waltzing Matilda”.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6NJRwplkMQ |title=John Field - Rondo on 'Go to the Devil and Shake Yourself' |language=en |access-date=2024-04-19 |via=www.youtube.com}}</ref>