"I am The Rock, I am the sky", as in Ayers Rock
Posted on 12/31/2020 4:42:41 AM PST by naturalman1975
One hundred and forty-three years after it was first composed and performed, Advance Australia Fair is again being updated for what the Prime Minister says is in the "spirit of unity".
From January 1, 2021 the second line of Australia's national anthem will change from, 'For we are young and free' to 'For we are one and free'.
Governor-General David Hurley has agreed to the Commonwealth's recommendation to make an amendment to the anthem for the first time since 1984.
In a statement, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the change was being made for all Australians.
"During the past year we have showed once again the indomitable spirit of Australians and the united effort that has always enabled us to prevail as a nation," he said. "It is time to ensure this great unity is reflected more fully in our national anthem.
"Also, while Australia as a modern nation may be relatively young, our country's story is ancient, as are the stories of the many First Nations peoples whose stewardship we rightly acknowledge and respect.
"In the spirit of unity, it is only right that we ensure our national anthem reflects this truth and shared appreciation," Mr Morrison added.
"Changing 'young and free' to 'one and free' takes nothing away, but I believe it adds much."
Advance Australia Fair was composed by Peter Dodds McCormick and first performed in 1878.
It was adopted as the country's national anthem on April 19, 1984, replacing God Save the Queen which had been in place since the time of British settlement.
Prime Minister Bob Hawke last recommended a modification of the national anthem to the Governor-General in 1984.
The historic change to Advance Australia Fair has involved consultations with state premiers, state governors who have been advised by the Governor-General as well as the Speaker of Federal Parliament and the President of the Senate.
In recent times, leaders from all sides of politics have expressed public support for changing the anthem to better reflect modern Australia and its Indigenous heritage.
I fully approve of this change. I don’t think you make such a change lightly, but I do think this one is a positive change.
The change in 1984 mentioned, involved the first two words of the anthem being changed from “Australia’s sons” to “Australians all”.
Next the australians will have to adapt to the indigenous populations social lifestyle. To show solidarity.
I add the /S tag
If my friends like you from Down Under can accept this without much grief, it is probably fine...:)
I will say though, I thought the change would be something along these lines:
Australians all let's not rejoice, For we are all not free;
We've golden soil and wealth for toil;
But for the the rich, not thee;
Our land abounds in nature's gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
Which was stole from native peoples,
let every stage
Advance Australia Unfair.
In angry strains then let us sing,
Bring down Australia Fair.
Beneath our malignant Southern Cross
We'll toil with hearts and hands;
To take this raped land of ours
And force our class demands;
For those who've come across the seas
Your wealth you have to share;
With reparations we can force
To knees, Australia Fair.
In angry strains then let us yell,
Bring down Australia Fair.
I admit to being relieved. I am struggling with the Orwellian rewrites of everything in the USA. I hope sanity prevails in your country, FRiend...
It’s not a huge change, and not PC generated but I generally dislike lyric re-writes. And it looks like it was generated by committee not public dissatisfaction.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
At least the Aussies are still singing their anthem, not like here where you get treated to some 'Black national Anthem' or outright refusal to even play our anthem.
They should have gone with “Give me a home among the gumtrees” for the National Anthem.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yxMPDp9M9TI
“I am Australian” - by The Seekers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOlPCmFG2pc
I came from the dream-time
From the dusty red-soil plains
I am the ancient heart
The keeper of the flame
I stood upon the rocky shores
I watched the tall ships come
For forty thousand years I’ve been
The first Australian
I came upon the prison ship
Bowed down by iron chains
I bought the land, endured the lash
And waited for the rains
I’m a settler, I’m a farmer’s wife
On a dry and barren run
A convict, then a free man
I became Australian
I’m the daughter of a digger
Who sought the mother lode
The girl became a woman
On the long and dusty road
I’m a child of the Depression
I saw the good times come
I’m a bushie, I’m a battler
I am Australian
We are one, but we are many
And from all the lands on earth we come
We’ll share a dream and sing with one voice
“I am, you are, we are Australian”
I’m a teller of stories
I’m a singer of songs
I am Albert Namatjira
And I paint the ghostly gums
I’m Clancy on his horse
I’m Ned Kelly on the run
I’m the one who waltzed Matilda
I am Australian
I’m the hot wind from the desert
I’m the black soil of the plains
I’m the mountains and the valleys
I’m the drought and flooding rains
I am the rock, I am the sky
The rivers when they run
The spirit of this great land
I am Australian
We are one, but we are many
And from all the lands on earth we come
We’ll share a dream and sing with one voice
“I am, you are, we are Australian”
We are one, but we are many
And from all the lands on earth we come
We’ll share a dream and sing with one voice
“I am, you are, we are Australian”
“I am, you are, we are Australian”
"I am The Rock, I am the sky", as in Ayers Rock
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