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.
This photo is courtesy Flicker gadgetgirl - Australia Day 2005, Sydney Harbour.
What's going on here? I burst into song, the Australian National Anthem that is. OK, the truth, I know the first verse and the first two lines of the second verse and the last two lines. But I can sure hum the inbetween bits well...Haven't heard it before? Here are some fellows who CAN sing it right..
Saturday (January 26th) was Australia Day, the day we Australians' celebrate the claiming of Australia for Great Britian back in 1788 by Captain James Cook. Two days later the French sailed into Botany Bay, who knows, but for a couple of storms at sea we could be speaking French! The Aboriginies were convieniently overlooked when the claim on the land was made, their reference to Australia Day as Invasion Day has meant that the celebrations are now more focused on celebrating Australia as we are now, rather than what happened on this date 220 years ago).
In Australia, this day is a public holiday, except if it falls on a weekend, then we make it a long weekend. What is the choice activity for Australia Day? Well, the Prime Minister (equivalent to President) gives a short address and announces the Australian of the Year etc. Remember we are talking Southern Hemisphere, so for the vast majority of the population think sunshine. That is: beach, pool, barbie (BBQ), and in the Australian tradition, one or many beers. I was on the banks of Sydney Harbor with a bunch of friends the whole day for the bicentennial celebration - it was an amazing sight I will never forget. There was a fleet of tall ships, some of which had sailed all the way from England. Anyone who had a boat was on the harbor. The fireworks seemed to go on forever that evening. That was, OH MY GOSH....20 years ago in 1988. OK, moving right along, the unofficial Australian Anthem: Waltzing Matilda....with explanations of Australian terms and sung by Rolf Harris (famous Aussie singer/songwriter)....
Here is another of the unofficial anthems of Australia, from a car ad from the 70's.
Football, meatpies, kangaroos and holden cars..............
Happy Australia Day.
Does this mean you aren't planning to sing it for us?
Posted by: LA Sue | January 27, 2008 at 11:24 PM
I sang it for her - all within hearing were quickly singing along..........
Posted by: Aussie kim | January 28, 2008 at 10:26 PM