Advance Australia Fair

Advance Australia Fair ist seit 1977 die offizielle Nationalhymne von Australien.

Allerdings wurde die zweite Strophe 1984 ersetzt, weil vielen Bürgern die britische Ausrichtung zu weit ging.

Ursprünglich wurde sie komponiert von Peter Dodds McCormick, mit der ersten Aufführung 1878.

1974 und 1977 wurde in Australien zur Festlegung einer neuen Nationalhymne ein "National Song Poll" durchgeführt.

Es ergab sich folgende Stimmenverteilung:

• 43.6% "Advance Australia Fair"
• 28.5% "Waltzing Matilda"
• 18.7% "God Save the Queen"
• 9.7% "Song Of Australia"

Text der heutigen, offiziellen Version

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!"

Text von McCormicks Originalversion

Australia's sons 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!"

When gallant Cook from Albion sail'd,

To trace wide oceans o'er,

True British courage bore him on,

Till he landed on our shore.

Then here he raised Old England's flag,

The standard of the brave;

With all her faults we love her still,

"Brittannia rules the wave!"

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 youthful Commonwealth Renowned of all the lands;

For loyal sons beyond 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!"

While other nations of the globe Behold us from afar,

We'll rise to high renown and shine Like our glorious southern star;

From England, Scotia, Erin's Isle,

Who come our lot to share,

Let all combine with heart and hand To advance Australia fair!

In joyful strains then let us sing

"Advance Australia fair!"

Shou'd foreign foe e'er sight our coast,

Or dare a foot to land,

We'll rouse to arms like sires of yore To guard our native strand;

Brittannia then shall surely know,

Beyond wide ocean's roll,

Her sons in fair Australia's land Still keep a British soul.

In joyful strains the let us sing

"Advance Australia fair!"

Drei Textänderungen wurden gegenüber McCormicks Originalversion gemacht:

Strophe 1, Zeile 1: Australia's sons, let us rejoice => Australians all, let us rejoice Strophe 3, Zeile 3: To make our youthful Commonwealth => To make this Commonwealth of ours Strophe 3, Zeile 5: For loyal sons beyond the seas => For those who've come across the sea

Weblinks

• Audio-Stream der Nationalhymne Australiens (Real Player)
• Kurze Geschichte der australischen Nationalhymne (en)