Deeper Down

You probably know the song Waltzing Matilda, but do you know who wrote the words? It was the Australian poet A.B. 'Banjo' Paterson, who in 1896 also wrote the words used in this song. Deeper Down tells the story of a squatter desperately drilling for water during a drought.

The Great Artesian Basin is a vast body of underground water covering more than 1/5 of Australia. The water it contains is almost 2 million years old! In places it rises to the surface to produce desert springs that allowed Aboriginal people to survive in this harsh environment.

The song begins mysteriously, suggesting the ‘hidden treasure’ below the earth. The music changes to a pulsing, bluesy feel as the squatter’s crew sweat and strain to reach the water. You will feel their struggle and then their excitement as the ‘treasure’ comes gushing to the surface.

mostly unison, with some 2 part singing - for ages 7 and up