Advance Australia Fair

Australia's national anthem

Advance Australia Fair is Australia's official national anthem since 1984.

Peter Dodds McCormick, a Scot, composed "Advance Australia Fair", the song was first performed in Sydney on Saint Andrew's Day, 1878.

Since the proclamation of the Australian colonies in 1788 "God save the Queen" had been Australia's national anthem. However, after the declaration of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, many Australians felt they should have their own Australian national anthem. After all, the new country longed for its own "Australia culture".

The process of finding the right anthem took more than 80 years, and needed several polls and competitions, but finally a conclusion was found. A few words and phrases from the original song Advance Australia Fair were changed to meet with political correctness, and make it the anthem of all Australians.

Advance Australia Fair

Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young 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!"

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!"

Listen to the Australian national anthem. Please tell me when you like the video.