G'day again Iain,

It just struck me (as I was looking to leave a "trace" on this thread) ... that on "14 Sep 13 - 08:37 AM", above, you referred to: ... "the song Waltzing Matilda, which is NOT a waltz by the way ...:. Of course I did then drop in a reference to the German Journeyman's period "auf der walz" ... making a 'circular' visit around distant trade workshops - to pick up extra trade skills before he is allowed to return to his home town ... and progress to "tradesman" status.

I was probably skirting around the fact that Paterson's 'crush' on Christina MacPherson had obviously strained quite a few relationships ... and Paterson seems to have been accusing Bob MacPherson of complicity in "removing" one of the militant shearers who had been involved in 'torching' his woolshed - during the Shearers' Strike.

He had heard the Germanic phrase "Auf der walz applied to swagmen, looking for piecework ... and the Germanic name of the deceased / suicide ... ? / ??? is clearly intentionally linked!

I'm afraid this popular Australian song has a shadier history than any of the convicts / 'transports' of the initial (convict) era of Australia!

Regard(les)s

BobB