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'Advance Australia Fair' and 'The White Australia Policy'

posted 26 September 2014

Disclaimer: This information is provided for your general interest only. Sovereign Union does not recognise any of the anthems of the self-proclaimed Australian Government and re-iterates that none of the nations on the great southern continent between the South Pacific and Indian Oceans have ever ceded their sovereignty. Australia is not one nation, it is many ancient sovereign nations

Is Australia Young and Free or an Ancient land of many nations with it's rightful owners forced off their homelands and herded into concentration camps?

"Advance Australia Fair" was published in early December 1878 by Peter Dodds McCormick under the pen-name "Amicus"). It was first sung by Andrew Fairfax, accompanied by a concert band conducted by McCormick, at a function of the Highland Society of New South Wales in Sydney on 30 November 1878 (Saint Andrew's Day). The song gained popularity and an amended version was sung by a choir of around 10,000 at the inauguration of the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 January 1901. In 1907 the Australian Government awarded McCormick £100 for his composition.

White Australia - This March introduces the grand chorus

White Australia March Australia, the white man's land, Defended by the white man's guns.

Australia, Australia, For Anglo-Saxon race and South'n Cross. God bless and help us to protect Our glorious land Australia.

The information with the Sheet music stated; 'Of the National Policy Song, and is intended to express the life, character, and aspirations of the Australian born, depicting in musical form the patriotic spirit of the race, together with the proud determination to take a foremost place amongst the leading nations of the world.'

"Advance Australia Fair" was the national anthem proclaimed as Australia's National Anthem by the Governor-General on 19th April 1984. Because 'Advance Australia' and 'Fair' are the key words in their new anthem it appears that they were extracted from the 'White Australia March' songbook which materialised a few years after Federation in 1901.

Some verses were dropped from the original version of 'Advance Australia Fair anthem', Jump to All five verses and some history on the invaders Anthems.

All of the sheet music below is from the 'White Australia March'.

Previous National Anthem

God Save the Queen" (alternatively "God Save the King" during the reign of a male sovereign) was the anthem officially used in a number of British colonies, and in Australia it was used until 1984. The author of the tune is unknown, and it may originate in plainchant, but a 1619 attribution to John Bull is sometimes made.

New National Anthem

In the late 20th century it was decided by the self proclaimed Australian government to have a competition where the general public submitted songs but none of them were chosen, and that left a choice between "Advance Australia Fair", "Waltzing Matilda" and "God Save the Queen"

"Advance Australia Fair" was the national anthem proclaimed as Australia's National Anthem by the Governor-General on 19th April 1984. 'Advance Australia' and 'Fair' are the key words and title of their anthem and it appears that they were extracted from the 'White Australia March' songbook which materialised a few years after Federation in 1901.

Here are the original five verses of Advance Australia Fair

Verse One
 
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 Three
 
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!"
 
 
Verse Five
 
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!" 		Verse Two
 
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 Four
 
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!"




Source: National Library of Australia. nla.mus-vn3118296-s4-v

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