In the iconic Australian folk song “Waltzing Matilda,” a jumbuck refers to a sheep. The term jumbuck is derived from the Scottish word “jumbuck,” which also means sheep. In the song, the swagman (a traveling worker) comes across a jumbuck that does not belong to him and decides to cook it for a meal, leading to a series of events that unfold in the lyrics.
The jumbuck symbolizes the conflict between the swagman, who is hungry and tempted by the sheep, and the authorities, who eventually catch up to him for stealing the animal. The song is a powerful narrative that captures the struggles of the working class in Australia and has become an enduring symbol of national pride and identity.