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 :)
Kristin
January 5, 2021It’s amazing, such perfect words
Jessie
January 5, 2021This is amazing!
Fliss
January 5, 2021Yes yes yes!!!!!
Erica Valeri
January 5, 2021Loved it. I would be proud to sing this version.
Kim
January 5, 2021This is so beautiful, meaningful and relevant to all of us, all of the things that the OLD anthem is NOT!
Peta
January 5, 2021So beautiful! Brought tears to my eyes. We need to make this official!
Davida
January 5, 2021This gave me goosebumps, This is the anthem I am now going to sing!! so much love this is beautiful.
Claire Burge
January 5, 2021Love.
Kirsten Mackenzie
January 5, 2021Just watched this with my daughter and our thoughts are:
If we have to keep that horrible tune we can at least get behind these words.
I’d sing this. I refuse to sing the anthem as it is now. I didn’t vote for it and with its present words it makes me feel ashamed to be Australian. These new words give me hope.
Lawrence Sanstrom
January 5, 2021In full support; united we are strong, divided we fall.
Jahla
January 5, 2021This anthem insights true pride
Billie
January 5, 2021What a great revival! This should be our national anthem!
Samantha
January 5, 2021Got my vote!
Jemma
January 5, 2021This is so beautiful. I would be so proud to sing this
John Torode
January 5, 2021Absolutely beautiful!
Suzi Callaway
January 4, 2021This is just so beautiful, I’d happily sing this!
Sylvia Chiang
January 4, 2021Let’s share this on our social media platform: Facebook, Twitter, etc. Let more know about this campaign which is so worth supporting. Show our politicians that we’re not happy with just lip service; we want Australia to stop being a poor cousin or deputy sheriff of another country. We are unique and colourful. We want our children to grow in a truly multicultural society that supports every culture, every race who call Australia home!
Jeremy
January 4, 2021Please if we can start a petition to try and get our voices heard to change the Australian national anthem. Everyone that I have shown love it and think it should be changed
Carolina Cooksey
January 4, 2021Is there a petition I can sign?
Amy H
January 4, 2021This would make me more than proud to sing if it were our national anthem. I remember being so confused in school because I didn’t know what half of the current anthem meant
April
January 4, 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.
molly w
January 4, 2021beautiful!!
Kate Burtt
January 4, 2021Stunning!
Alycia
January 4, 2021I would be so proud to sing this anthem. It reflects a country I truly hope someday will really be.
Bonny Doulton
January 4, 2021Let’s do it, beautiful lyrics
Glenn
January 6, 2021As a frequent overseas traveller, I would stand tall in any city in the world at the playing of this anthem.
Larissa
January 6, 2021This is so beautifully inclusive of one and all. The indigenous communities, those who have generations linked to settlement days as well as new families who are proud to call Australia home. Well done to the song writers and those who put their time and effort into this. I feel so proud of the work you have all done with this revision and I would be happy to sing it loud and proud.
Annika
January 4, 2021This is beautiful
Jade
January 4, 2021An anthem that unites and tells truth about our country and people as one. Thank you
Bronwyn
January 4, 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.
Bernard McKenna
January 4, 2021Full support – hope and meaning to fit the Aussie reality
Nicholas White
January 4, 2021It would be a proud moment for our country if we accepted the revised anthem! Absolutely beautiful lyrics.
Thomas
January 4, 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
January 4, 2021This is amazing and true for all Australians- please let it be our Australian anthem
Gina Ramsay
January 4, 2021Love it! It actually gave me goosebumps, something that the current anthem never has. xxx
Wing Chiang
January 4, 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
January 4, 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
January 4, 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
January 4, 2021Love
Peter James
January 4, 2021Incredible! An anthem I would be proud to sing!
Clyde Fernandez
January 4, 2021Wow – I love the idea and the new lyrics! Thanks for your efforts in producing this revision.
Elizabeth Young
January 4, 2021Very impressive, perfect words and I would be happy to support this being our National anthem. Well done.
Nicola Hensel
January 4, 2021I stopped singing the anthem as it was, years ago. I would sing this one gladly.