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 :)
Brock Williams
March 14, 2022Waiting for this to be our anthem, hopefully not waiting too long.
Sequoia
March 11, 2022This is my national anthem it’s a cracker.
Finally something we can sing with pride
I will print & share these words with everyone I come in contact with & tell them to do the same.
WE Are Powerful when WE Stand Together
Much Love & Respect
Petra Gillan
March 11, 2022Absolutely perfect! It’s inclusive and I would sing that with pride.
Aimee Bordie
March 11, 2022Please start a formal petition to change our national anthem to this! I think the majority of Australians would be proud to shave this as our new anthem ❤️
Tegan
March 10, 2022I love it. I’ll sing these lyrics any time the anthems played.
Bonnie
March 10, 2022Absolutely perfect, inclusive and beautiful. I would be proud to sing this and teach it to my kids… thank you ❤
Kirstie
March 10, 2022Is there a petition for this version to become our national anthem? I would vote for it for sure.
Maree
March 10, 2022This is an anthem I feel, and can get behind.
This will be my anthem from now on.
Carissa
March 10, 2022We chose to homeschool our children, and one of the reasons was to teach them the correct history of our country, and get them learning about the culture of this land THANKYOU for this anthem, we always do our acknowledgement of country when we visit places and now we are going to add the anthem to our “school” week ☺️
Oshea
March 10, 2022Definitely need to make this the national anthem
Emma
March 10, 2022This is a beautiful version. Is there some way that we can petition to have this become the official version?
Anita
March 10, 2022This is a lovely rendition, I would proudly sing along to this with all my fellow Australians.
Joey
January 16, 2022Is there a petition we can sign??? A petition might help to get momentum behind this and show how many Australians want change!
This anthem is so inclusive, respectful of the past and reflective of modern Australia – I have shared it widely and shown it to all of my high school students!
Charlotte L'Enfant
November 15, 2021Hey! I’m planning on singing this beautiful and more respectful and inclusive version of the anthem at my year 12 graduation!
Ebony
January 26, 2022You legend! Yesss!
Chris
October 4, 2021Good One, I’m in. lets remove the union jack off the flag as well.
Tash
October 3, 2021Brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful ❤
I would proudly sing this as our Anthem ❤
Anne
September 30, 2021Just beautiful, inclusive, embracing, loving. Tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. Thank you. I have shared to some groups and would definitely support it.
I also have created a new flag design that is inclusive, embracing and representative of all of us, our history and our beautiful land. Things are shifting, lets bring it together with love and heart
Dave Edwards
September 21, 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
August 23, 2021Love it, so inclusive and perfect
Christine
July 2, 2021Absolutely love this by far the best version I have heard x I would 100% support this as our anthem
Geoffrey Baker
June 23, 2021I LOVE this! The words are so appropriate! This song is truly about reconciliation and moving forward together.
KERRY MACLAURIN
June 13, 2021This is awesome! Just shared in my Facebook page and to our local community group
Nick Mckenzie
July 11, 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
May 29, 2021Beautiful rewrite and great voice. Fantastic.
Andrew
April 22, 2021A great blend of the traditional and the tradational… well done!
Lindi
March 26, 2021I love this, such beautiful words of unity – Brought tears to me eyes, thank you
Elizabeth
March 13, 2021It’s wonderful, I would happily support it and sing it as our National anthem – thank you
Erin
March 7, 2021I love these lyrics and how they work so well to include all. I am sharing this with my family and friends in Sydney and hope it will spread! love the new anthem. is there a hashtag I can put it under on Instagram so many can collaborate and see?
Alison Bray
March 2, 2021Brilliant!! How do we make it happen?
Noelene
January 31, 2021Oh wow that was very moving!
As a non Aboriginal/TSI female born in Australia this is truly reflective of what Australia is today. We are all Australian whether we are traditional custodians/first people, newly arrived and seeking a better life or like myself a descendant of convicts.
It is time for a change. I believe the majority of Australians want to live in harmony and this national anthem will bring us one step closer.
Thank you
Johnny
January 30, 2021This one sounded extremely average to me and parts it didn’t even rhyme. I’m all for making aboriginal people inclusive in the national anthem but this has gone to far and now neglects other Australians. It certainly needs to be revamped.
Gail Zagami
January 29, 2021Is there a petition we can sign and share, I am a white Australian Grandcarrer raising my 4 beautiful Aborigional Grandchildren, I want them to know their culture and I want Australia to be a land they can be proud of, I’m a strong advocate of Naidoc week and fight hard for our school to recognise the true meanings of our aborigional culture, we need change now more than ever, this is certainly a start Thankyou for your contribution, please feel free to contact me I’m happy to take up the cause
Bronwyn Bell
January 26, 2021I sent the following comment on 6th January. Arbitrary censorship of some supportive but constructive criticism … very poor form on your part!
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Ann
January 25, 2021I absolutely love the lyrics of this version.
So touching to the soul.
And such a beautiful voice too.
Suzanne
January 25, 2021With heart on hand it makes you feel proud to be an Aussie
Lorraine Standley
January 24, 2021Lovely words with great feeling makes me proud.
Peta
January 22, 2021I’m sharing this with our Early Childhood Educators and asking them to reflect on how the lyrics can help connect children to Country and coming together as one.
JP
January 22, 2021It’s certainly better than the present dreary words. I believe Brue Dawe also wrote some alternative words – does anyone know them? But at that speed, whatever the words, the tune is still a dirge. It need to be sung faster – about quick march speed. Or go with “I am, You are…”
Vivienne
January 22, 2021When I first watched this, I got Goosebumps and started tearing up on pride. This definitely should be our new anthem! It reflects true Australian values, and recognises Indigenous peoples who have lived on this land for many many many years.
JIM EARLEY
January 22, 2021As a non-indigenous Australian, I would be proud to sing this as our nation’s anthem. Is it possible to also translate this anthem to a First Nation’s language, without offending people who speak a different indigenous language? The words (and sentiment) of our current anthem are not appropriate; however, I love singing it in the Eora language.
Shauna
January 21, 2021Amazing! Beautiful voice with words to sing so loud & proudly. Thank you for this. I have & will continue to share this as much I can.