Anthem

 

Transforming our national anthem 

There are many current initiatives to transform our national anthem. Hopefully, one day the peoples of this land will get to choose a new version (or versions!).  We don’t think it’s up to us to say what the end result will be, but we offer this as one possible alternative.  We welcome your involvement in having this version (or other alternative versions) sung and performed in your local community. No matter how small your action we’d then like to hear about it. In the comments section below, please tell us the story of how you talked about this with friends, in your workplace, had it sung in your child’s school, at your sporting event and so on. Thanks!  

About this revised anthem 

The lyrics for this revised anthem were written by Judith Durham, Kutcha Edwards, Lou Bennett, Camilla Chance and Bill Hauritz. In the video clip above it is performed by Kutcha Edwards during the KAGE Team of Life theatre production. For more information about this revised anthem, click here  For a pdf of the lyrics to print, click here.

Lyrics

Australia, celebrate as one, with peace and harmony.
Our precious water, soil and sun, grant life for you and me.
Our land abounds in nature’s gifts to love, respect and share,
And honouring the Dreaming, advance Australia fair.
With joyful hearts then let us sing, advance Australia fair.
 Australia, let us stand as one, upon this sacred land.
A new day dawns, we’re moving on to trust and understand.
Combine our ancient history and cultures everywhere,
To bond together for all time, advance Australia fair.
With joyful hearts then let us sing, advance Australia fair.
Australia, let us strive as one, to work with willing hands.
Our Southern Cross will guide us on, as friends with other lands.
While we embrace tomorrow’s world with courage, truth and care,
And all our actions prove the words, advance Australia fair,
With joyful hearts then let us sing, advance Australia fair.
And when this special land of ours is in our children’s care,
From shore to shore forever more, advance Australia fair.
With joyful hearts then let us sing, advance . . Australia . . fair.

Tell us more!

What actions are you and your friends/ colleagues / family taking? Please tell us below … and please include where this action took place! Thanks. Please note, we don’t publish all comments that are submitted. We are particularly interested in hearing from people about actions you have taken (or are going to take) in your local contexts. Thanks :) 

This Post Has 353 Comments

  1. Lawrence

    The national anthem should be changed asap, to get rid of the lies “if you come by sea, we have boundless to share”. It’s a shame for every Australia who has to sing the lie.

  2. Karlie

    Hello I’m just so glad to hear this video … it is a great blessing to have a song to feel a part of it. I have only respect and admiration for uses guys that produces this song and made it wonderful. It’s too deadly with a beautiful force that contains so much content for the Elders of our land and the generations before and after us all together with the process and right wording done perfectly with tears of joy to hear it finally sounding like a joint venture between all walks of life around the world. Blessing to all Brothers and Sisters thankyou.

  3. Katrina

    this is a fantastic way to bring unity. I love that the tune remains the same and advance Australia fair was also kept, it just feels like a truer and more real reflection of Australia. I just love it. it’s so well done. it would be great to be able to adopt this as the real new Australian national anthem. top work to those involved, I’m really impressed by it.

  4. Craig Smith

    These words brought the anthem some modernity, and a new relevance. To my mind the reference to the Dreaming, in particular, was elegant and strong. I would love that my grandchildren would grow up with this version of the anthem.
    One other thought, Waltzing Matilda has an alternative livelier melody (the Queensland version). Could a more upbeat melody be done with this anthem?

  5. Erica

    I heard Kutcha Edwards sing this brilliant new version of our national anthem at Uncle Archie Roach’s memorial service last week. It moved me to tears. It feels like a healing song, a song that embraces all of our history, a song our children and grandchildren could sing, that we could all sing together. I just love it.

  6. Nic

    I love this version it is just what we need to unite us together! It makes sense and the words mean so much. Please change to this version it is perfect.

  7. Megan Mundy

    This campaign popped up on my Facebook memories. It was so moving to hear this performed at Uncle Jack’s funeral. I can’t wait for the anthem to be changed to this beautiful version.

  8. Emma Beach

    A wonderful option. I’m using it in my church youth group to generate discussion. Thank you!

  9. Tracie Jarvis

    Excellent, wonderful, PERFECT!
    I love it. The words are befitting and respectful to the original inhabitants and future generations, it is inclusive and actually makes sense.
    Uncle Kutcha has a powerful voice, has sung it so well, it gave me chills.

    We must do all we can to change this to our National Anthem.

    Contact me if I can do anything to assist. ×

  10. Ginger

    Performers and audience alike sang this at An Afternoon with Uncle Jack at The Memo Healesville on Sat 14 May 2022 :-)

  11. Vincent

    Really heart touching and I would be honoured to adapt to this true meaningful version of our national anthem. We’ll done!

  12. Liz Jones

    This is perfect. Amazing words. From the heart. I love this and would be proud to sing this as our anthem and absolutely encourage my children to do the same.

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