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Australian Flag - British Union Jack in left hand corner surrounded by the stars of "The Southern Cross"

Australian National Anthem  "Advance Australia Fair"

This anthem is very up-beat  and  in some ways reflects the Australian character.  The first two lines are the key to this song.

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Australian National Anthem
"Advance Australia Fair"
words and music composed by
Peter Dodds McCormick
spacerproclaimed Australia's National Anthem
 by the Governor - General
  on 19th April 1984

spacermusical symbol - quaver[Click for the music]

Australians all let us rejoice
For we are young and free
We've golden soil and wealth for toil,
Our home is girt by sea:
Our land abounds in nature's gifts
Of beauty rich and rare,
In history's page let every stage
Advance Australia fair,
In joyful strains then let us sing
Advance Australia fair.

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross,
 We'll toil with hearts and hands,
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands,
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share,
With courage let us all combine
To advance Australia fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia fair.
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Our National Anthem was the  British Anthem "God Save the Queen".  It was decided by those who know that it needed to be changed.  Then they decided to have  some sort of competition where the general public were to submit songs etc.  Anyway apparently none were considered good enough.  That left a choice between "Advance Australia Fair", "Waltzing Matilda" and "God Save the Queen" 

This is of course quite ridiculous - a choice between three songs.  Basically if you didn't like the Queen well then that left two.  Hard Yakka if you didn't like any of them.

"Advance Australia Fair" was already a fairly popular song among Australians.  So bear up you Aussies who don't like it, you will have to make the best of it - don't we always?  Besides it is not that bad.

Many people thought that Waltzing Matilda should be our anthem, the trouble here is of course the  words are about a Swagman - a jolly one - but never-the-less a Swagman who  also steals sheep.  Images Australia would not have a problem with that in fact it would suit Australia's quirky streak. No this does not mean we approve of stealing sheep - we just like the melody.

Perhaps we should have two anthems, then we judge the event and play the one most suitable for the occasion. Oh heck let's go for over-kill and play both of them they are both great songs.  Imagine for instance the Olympic Games we would have the longest time, the audience would become rather restless - we might even be run out of town - but what do we care - hey we are doing them a favor it is not everyone who has two anthems. This is of course a little presumptuous assuming we will win a medal.

What about the Queen you ask - well we are all grown up now don't you know  dancing man small animated gif Oh yah

Oh by the way if you are feeling a bit nostalgic go to the National Anthems of the World page and you can hear "God Save the Queen"  (once our National Anthem) like you have never heard it before.  The musical arrangement is by Images Australia and also the other music featured throughout this site.
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You will notice that some of the original verses have been left out of the official version and we believe rightly so as they no longer reflect  Australia's present  multi-cultural population.  While it is nice to know they were once included and that Captain Cook  discovered Australia and sailed into Botany Bay etc. etc. it is not applicable for Australia now.  History is history and nothing can change that but we must move on and have an Anthem that all Australians can relate to.  If you want history look it up in a history book or an encyclopaedia it will be much more accurate and informative.
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We know a lot of people will disagree with our opinion and that is their right, but please don't resort to sending offensive and argumentative e-mails.
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Verse One
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Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We've golden soil and wealth for toil,
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in Nature's gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history's page, let every stage
Advance Australia fair!
In joyful strains then let us sing,
"Advance Australia fair!"

Verse Two
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When gallant Cook from Albion sail'd,
To trace wide oceans o'er,
True British courage bore him on,
Till he landed on our shore.
Then here he raised Old England's flag,
The standard of the brave;
With all her faults we love her still,
"Brittannia rules the wave!"
In joyful strains then let us sing
"Advance Australia fair!"

Verse Three
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Beneath our radiant southern Cross,
We'll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To advance Australia fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing
"Advance Australia fair!"
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Verse Four
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While other nations of the globe
Behold us from afar,
We'll rise to high renown and shine
Like our glorious southern star;
From England, Scotia, Erin's Isle,
Who come our lot to share,
Let all combine with heart and hand
To advance Australia fair!
In joyful strains then let us sing
"Advance Australia fair!"

 Verse Five
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Shou'd foreign foe e'er sight our coast,
Or dare a foot to land,
We'll rouse to arms like sires of yore
To guard our native strand;
Brittannia then shall surely know,
Beyond wide ocean's roll,
Her sons in fair Australia's land
Still keep a British soul.
In joyful strains the let us sing
"Advance Australia fair!"
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