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Old 11-24-2010, 08:46 PM
 
Location: Tijuana Exurbs
4,530 posts, read 12,348,235 times
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Hello Ozzies,

I've a question for you. When it was put to a vote why did Australians choose "Advance Australia Fair" over "Waltzing Matilda" as a national anthem?

Admittedly, "Waltzing Matilda" isn't an especially dignified song compared to "God Save the Queen," or as ponderous as "Deutschland, Deutschland uber Alles" or as unsingable as "The Star-Spangled Banner", but wouldn't an exciting, rollicking, eminently singable national anthem have been a lot more fun?

True, there might have been a problem or two with the lyrics being about a sheep thief, but it's a song known worldwide for being intrinsically Australian.

And Waltzing Matilda really is quite versatile. When played mournfully, it works just as well for solemn occasions as celebratory ones.

Comments and a history on the debate at the time of the vote are welcome.
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Old 11-24-2010, 09:01 PM
 
Location: Australia
89 posts, read 207,119 times
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Waltzing Matilda should be our national anthem
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Old 11-24-2010, 09:42 PM
 
14,771 posts, read 17,052,832 times
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Not a fan of Waltzing Matilda

Its about a guy who steals a sheep. Then kills himself, right?

-- after he catches the sheep "with glee"

I do not identify with this song.

On the other hand our anthem has lyrics such as

"young and free"
"our lands abound in nature's gifts"
"beneath our radiant southern cross"

These things are Australian.
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Old 11-24-2010, 10:08 PM
 
Location: Next stop Antarctica
1,802 posts, read 2,914,424 times
Reputation: 2129
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ozgal View Post
Not a fan of Waltzing Matilda

Its about a guy who steals a sheep. Then kills himself, right?

-- after he catches the sheep "with glee"

I do not identify with this song.

On the other hand our anthem has lyrics such as

"young and free"
"our lands abound in nature's gifts"
"beneath our radiant southern cross"

These things are Australian.
I'm with you Waltzing Matilda is totally unsuitable for a nation anthem..i wasn't too keen on 'Advance' when it first came out but i have got used to it and it describes our country and what we stand for perfectly
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Old 11-25-2010, 05:04 AM
 
Location: Melbourne oz
112 posts, read 362,434 times
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I personally hate both songs with waltzing matilda it is about a sheep steeling bum who killed himself and advance australia fair there is 2 verses but only the first is sung which not many people know. I would like to put forward a suggestion for the anthem and I would like a song that empitimises what australia is all about and that is..................................
A beer with duncan by slim dusty - imagine hearing that at the Olympic games!!!!
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Old 11-25-2010, 05:48 AM
 
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
24,606 posts, read 55,825,632 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cushla View Post
I'm with you Waltzing Matilda is totally unsuitable for a nation anthem..i wasn't too keen on 'Advance' when it first came out but i have got used to it and it describes our country and what we stand for perfectly
Probably is redolent of our national character, at least originally!

Still you're totally right. It's a nice folky sing-a-long but the lyrics are ridiculous to have as a NATIONAL anthem. Imagine us singing about stealing jumbucks at the Olympics. What will the rest of the world think of us? Come on, people, don't let sentimentalism get in the way of things.

What about 'I Still Call Australia Home?' by Peter Allen? You know, the one they used on the Qantas ads. Now I'd vote for that!
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Old 11-25-2010, 06:10 AM
 
2,421 posts, read 6,942,885 times
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There were 4 options for the new anthem.

God Save The Queen
Advance Australia Fair
Waltzing Matilda
Song Of Australia

"Song of Australia" wasn't very popular outside of South Australia, but just Imagine this as our anthem?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg6eDQJaBcU

Last edited by Kangaroofarmer; 11-25-2010 at 06:48 AM..
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Old 11-25-2010, 05:25 PM
 
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
24,606 posts, read 55,825,632 times
Reputation: 11862
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kangaroofarmer View Post
There were 4 options for the new anthem.

God Save The Queen
Advance Australia Fair
Waltzing Matilda
Song Of Australia

"Song of Australia" wasn't very popular outside of South Australia, but just Imagine this as our anthem?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg6eDQJaBcU
The first one, of course, just meant not changing it from the current.
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Old 11-25-2010, 06:11 PM
 
Location: Sunshine Coast, BC
10,781 posts, read 8,702,157 times
Reputation: 17780
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kangaroofarmer View Post
There were 4 options for the new anthem.

God Save The Queen
Advance Australia Fair
Waltzing Matilda
Song Of Australia

"Song of Australia" wasn't very popular outside of South Australia, but just Imagine this as our anthem?
lol! I can see why it wasn't very popular. Has way too much of a Catholic Hymn sound to it for me. Just needed a few Almighty Gods and Angels on High and there you go!

I remember singing God Save the Queen in school. What a boring song. When I was little I always wondered what God was supposed to be saving her from. What sort of trouble was she getting herself into?

Waltzing Matilda is a cute song but doesn't have the gravitas a national anthem needs. So that leaves Advance Australia Fair.
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Old 11-25-2010, 09:49 PM
 
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
24,606 posts, read 55,825,632 times
Reputation: 11862
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vichel View Post
lol! I can see why it wasn't very popular. Has way too much of a Catholic Hymn sound to it for me. Just needed a few Almighty Gods and Angels on High and there you go!

I remember singing God Save the Queen in school. What a boring song. When I was little I always wondered what God was supposed to be saving her from. What sort of trouble was she getting herself into?

Waltzing Matilda is a cute song but doesn't have the gravitas a national anthem needs. So that leaves Advance Australia Fair.
Giving away your age?
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