"Advance Australia Fair" (The National Anthem of Australia) was composed by Peter Dodds McCormick sometime around the turn of this century.
Several versions with different combinations of the verses are found in different references.
Some Australian governments seemed to disapprove of the sentiment of some of these verses, and passively discouraged their remembrance. Consequently, several of these verses are very difficult to find unless one searches for old and original references. Notably, the original first line was "Australia's sons let us rejoice", however this has been replaced with the more 'politically correct' first line as follows ... |
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!"
When gallant Cook from Albion sail'd,
Beneath our radiant southern Cross,
While other nations of the globe
Shou'd foreign foe e'er sight our coast, |
Another web site with information about Advance Australia Fair is:
http://www.hamilton.net.au/advance.html
And here is a Midi file of the Music:
http://www.genesis.net.au/~anthems/aaf.mid
God Save The Queen - Australia's Royal Anthem