The Australian National Anthem

Probably all Aussies know the National Anthem - at least as far as the end of the first verse, and most know there is another one. However below are all verses of the original version, along with the final one, which has been quoted as being a part of the original, but appears to have been added somewhere over the years.

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!"

On April 19, 1984, after at least a hundred years of unproductive debate, the Governor General, Sir Ninian Stephen, declared Advance Australia Fair to be the Australian national anthem.
Following are the verses which were apparently dumped by Parliment at that time.

The song was first performed on St Andrew's Day in 1878. It was written by a Scot, Peter Dodds McCormick, who wrote under the name "Amicus".

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!"

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!"

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!"

"With Christ our head and cornerstone,
we'll build our Nation's might,
Whose way and truth and light alone,
can guide our path aright.
Our lives, a sacrifice of love,
reflect our Master's care
With faces turned to heaven above,
Advance Australia fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia fair".

Also, here are a set of Guitar Chords that should work fine.
 C
Australians all let us rejoice
    G7        C        G7    
For we  are young and free   
       C                             
We've golden soil and wealth for toil 
     G/B      G/D     G     
Our  home  is girt by sea  
     F                C 
Our Land abounds in natures gifts
    F      Dm        G    
of beau-ty rich and rare  
    F                Am7   
In his'trys page let ev'ry stage
   C        F6       C
Advance Aus-tra-lia Fair,
    F                   G7/D 
In joyful  strains then let  us sing 
  C/G        G       C
Advance Aus-tra-lia Fair

See also www.hamilton.net.au/advance.html
for more chord options.

© 2007 Ian Moggs, all rights reserved.

Last updated 22nd March 2010.

Email me anytime - i2 @ robian.net (without the spaces)