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 🙂
Charlotte L'Enfant
15 Nov 2021Hey! I’m planning on singing this beautiful and more respectful and inclusive version of the anthem at my year 12 graduation!
Dave Edwards
21 Sep 2021I think the new words are fantastic! I have just discovered Kutcha’s song We Sing, and if these new words don’t get up I think We Sing should be our national anthem!!
Julieanne
23 Aug 2021Love it, so inclusive and perfect
KERRY MACLAURIN
13 Jun 2021This is awesome! Just shared in my Facebook page and to our local community group
Nick Mckenzie
11 Jul 2021Naidoc week has just finished, but kids return to school Mon 12/7.
I’ll be singing this with my grade 5’s every day.
Thanks so much!!
MyToyotaStarlet
29 May 2021Beautiful rewrite and great voice. Fantastic.
Andrew
22 Apr 2021A great blend of the traditional and the tradational… well done!
Lindi
26 Mar 2021I love this, such beautiful words of unity – Brought tears to me eyes, thank you
Elizabeth
13 Mar 2021It’s wonderful, I would happily support it and sing it as our National anthem – thank you
Ann
25 Jan 2021I absolutely love the lyrics of this version.
So touching to the soul.
And such a beautiful voice too.
Lorraine Standley
24 Jan 2021Lovely words with great feeling makes me proud.
Jacinta
14 Jan 2021This is so powerful
I have shared this so many times
This year we will be getting all community member to sing this together
I am so excited
Thanks my deadly uncle and everyone else
Thanks you x
Rakesh
13 Jan 2021As a new Australian, I always thought if we could make the national anthem better and reading through the lyrics is sounded so real Australian.
I truly hope more communities adopt this version and make it the official national anthem of the future.
Monica Harland
9 Jan 2021Yes! As a First Nations woman I would sing this with pride!
April
4 Jan 2021Incredible. I have goosebumps all over nothing would make me prouder than to sing this. The current song is outdated and not even true. This is magical.
Alycia
4 Jan 2021I would be so proud to sing this anthem. It reflects a country I truly hope someday will really be.
Jade
4 Jan 2021An anthem that unites and tells truth about our country and people as one. Thank you
Bronwyn
4 Jan 2021I love it- well done song writers- I would be happy to sing this and will consider ways I can encourage others to join in.
Nicholas White
4 Jan 2021It would be a proud moment for our country if we accepted the revised anthem! Absolutely beautiful lyrics.
Thomas
4 Jan 2021I can actually sing this with pride and passion. Not like the other “old” version. I think it’s only a matter of time.
Susan
4 Jan 2021This is amazing and true for all Australians- please let it be our Australian anthem
Gina Ramsay
4 Jan 2021Love it! It actually gave me goosebumps, something that the current anthem never has. xxx
Wing Chiang
4 Jan 2021So touching. Thank You. And let’s uphold the spirit in these lyrics so that we are passing on to the next generation an Australia we’re proud to call home.
Charlotte Ham
4 Jan 2021These lyrics are stunning. I would be so proud to sing this anthem. I desperately hope to see the current anthem revised to such a degree in my lifetime.
Roan Beucker
4 Jan 2021This is just what we need to do to start becoming a fully inclusive country, I hope this will be our national anthem soon!
Lou
4 Jan 2021Love
Peter James
4 Jan 2021Incredible! An anthem I would be proud to sing!
Clyde Fernandez
4 Jan 2021Wow – I love the idea and the new lyrics! Thanks for your efforts in producing this revision.
Elizabeth Young
4 Jan 2021Very impressive, perfect words and I would be happy to support this being our National anthem. Well done.
Nicola Hensel
4 Jan 2021I stopped singing the anthem as it was, years ago. I would sing this one gladly.