National Anthem
From AustraliaWiki
Contents |
Introduction
The Australian National Anthem is called Advance Australia Fair. Here you find the music script and the lyrics. To sing along you can download the music script and lyrics as a PDF document. Beside this national anthem we often sing the folksong Waltzing Matilda.
Music Script
Lyrics
| 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 hist'ry's page let ev'ry stage |
| Advance Australia Fair. |
| |
| In joyful strains then let us sing |
| Advance Australia Fair |
| |
| When gallant Cook from Albion sailed, |
| To trace wide oceans o'er, |
| True British courage born him on trug, |
| Till he landed on our shore. |
| And there he raised old England's flag, |
| The standard of the brave. |
| With all her faults we love her still, |
| Britannia rules the wave. |
| |
| 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 |
Background
Since 1788 the British National Song "God save the King (Queen)" was the Australian Natonal Song, too. "Advance Australia Fair", written by the Scotsman Peter Dodds McCormick (1835-1916) - known as "Amicus" - was first played at November 30th in 1878 in Sydney. It replaced the British Natonal Song in April 1974. The second verse was rejected by the Australians and in 1984 it was replaced by the third verse. Australia is still a member of the Commonwealth. Because of this the British National Song "God save the Queen/King" is played in great ceremonies. (Sometimes you hear two other songs "Song of Australia" and "Waltzing Matilda".)
During the Opening Celebration of the Olympic Games Sydney 2000 the National Song was sung in the first, third and again the first verse. We could listen to the National Anthem during the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa. Also we can listen during the Women World Cup 2011 in Germany.
The printable version of the music script can be downloaded as a PDF Document.
To hear the song you can push the "play"-button in this player:
(Olympic Games Sydney 2000 / 1., 3., 1. Verse)
You can also download it as MP3-file (3,32MB) or MP2-file (4,98MB).
The Australian government prepared two further versions: external links!
[1] (Soloist / 1. and 3. Verse)
[2] (Choir / 1. and 3. Verse)
See also
- Advance Australia Fair.org, this website is presented out of respect for the National Anthem of Australia, and the values it contains.
- National Anthem - This is the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website
