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!" 

-------------------------

Australia
"Advance Australia Fair"

Words by:Peter Dodds McCormick
Music by:Peter Dodds McCormick
Adopted:1984

One of my pet peeves as one who studies anthems is incorrect knowledge of
anthems. I want to clear it up here that "Waltzing Matilda" is not the official
anthem of Australia, any more than "America the Beautiful" is the official
anthem of the U.S.A. At the most, "Waltzing Matilda" is a patriotic song. At
the least, it's a popular song. The official anthem of Australia, and has been
since 1984 (before that it was God_Save_the_Queen,) is "Advance Australia
Fair". However, there has been sentiment lately to replace "Advance Australia
Fair" with "Waltzing Matilda".

One of my favourite anthems, it was adopted after exhaustive surveys of
national opinion. In 1974 the Australian Bureau of Statistics conducted a
national opinion poll of 60,000 and in 1977 a plebiscite for a national song
was conducted. On each occasion, Advance Australia Fair was the preferred
option, and it was in consideration of such support that Advance Australia Fair
was proclaimed as the national anthem by the Governor-General on 19 April 1984.
From the original five-verse song, only the first and third verses are the
official national anthem.

Special thanks to:Leonie Payne and John Farrell for some of this information.
