Advance Australia Fair

This song was written by Scottish-born teacher, composer and church choir-master Peter Dodds McCormick (1834? – 1916), in 1878.

The first and third verses, with some adaptations, were adopted as the Australian anthem in 1984 (ref).  A small change was made to the first line in January 2021 ("young" was changed to "one" - ref).   

The song it does not have any particular religious content, but is sometimes used at church-services with national significance.
 
There is an additional verse written by English teacher Ruth Ponniah in 1988 (ref) which is sometimes used and adds religious content - however it is not part of the official national anthem.



Downloads

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Examples

Choir with brass band:


Family trio with orchestral backing:


Instrumental - multi-track recording, electric guitar:


Lyrics

Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are one 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,
To trace wide oceans o'er,
True British courage bore on him,
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,
"Britannia rules the wave!"
In joyful strain 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!"
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!"

Should 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,
Britannia then shall surely know,
Beyond wide ocean's roll,
Her son's in fair Australia's land,
Still keep a British soul.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
"Advance Australia Fair!"

Additional religious verse

With Christ our head and cornerstone,
We'll build our nation's might,
Whose way of 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!

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