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From the archive, 3 July 1973: Reworking of Waltzing Matilda shortlisted for Australian anthem From the archive, 3 July 1973: Reworking of Waltzing Matilda shortlisted for Australian anthem
(3 months later)
Soft came the wallabies to drink at the billabong,
Shy rose the platypus, a strange sight to see,
And the swagman sang while the moonlight lit the loneliness:
All come a-waltzing Matilda with me.		Soft came the wallabies to drink at the billabong,
Shy rose the platypus, a strange sight to see,
And the swagman sang while the moonlight lit the loneliness:
All come a-waltzing Matilda with me.
It takes about 40 lines for poet Douglas Stewart to sum up the Australian spirit for his offering in Australia's national anthem competition. The drover, the shearer, and the immigrant all get a mention, along with that boiling billy and the coolibah tree.It takes about 40 lines for poet Douglas Stewart to sum up the Australian spirit for his offering in Australia's national anthem competition. The drover, the shearer, and the immigrant all get a mention, along with that boiling billy and the coolibah tree.
His "Song of Australia" is now among the last six of the national anthem finalists. Prize money in the competition, for words alone, is more than £2,500.His "Song of Australia" is now among the last six of the national anthem finalists. Prize money in the competition, for words alone, is more than £2,500.
The six songs will be set to music in a separate competition next month, in another £2,500 contest. However, the general feeling after the six top anthems were released today by the Prime Minister, Mr Whitlam, was that the God Save the Queen lobby had been given a major boost. Mr Whitlam has described Waltzing Matilda as being unsuitable for state funerals.The six songs will be set to music in a separate competition next month, in another £2,500 contest. However, the general feeling after the six top anthems were released today by the Prime Minister, Mr Whitlam, was that the God Save the Queen lobby had been given a major boost. Mr Whitlam has described Waltzing Matilda as being unsuitable for state funerals.
The judges were a historian, Professor H. M. Maning Clark, a journalist, Mr Ross Campbell, an aboriginal poet, Mrs Kath Walker, and a playwright, Mr David Williamson.The judges were a historian, Professor H. M. Maning Clark, a journalist, Mr Ross Campbell, an aboriginal poet, Mrs Kath Walker, and a playwright, Mr David Williamson.
If a suitable tune can be found, the winning anthem will be sung for the first time next Australia Day, January 26. The Fellowship of Australian Composers, in what has been interpreted, as a truer reflection of Australian spirit than the sentiments in the candidate anthems, is boycotting the competition until its members get more pay.If a suitable tune can be found, the winning anthem will be sung for the first time next Australia Day, January 26. The Fellowship of Australian Composers, in what has been interpreted, as a truer reflection of Australian spirit than the sentiments in the candidate anthems, is boycotting the competition until its members get more pay.
Meanwhile, here are some extracts from the songs that could be on the lips of 13 million Australians next year.Meanwhile, here are some extracts from the songs that could be on the lips of 13 million Australians next year.
We'll keep the faith and make our land,
Australia, strong and free!
For all who walk the desert sands,
For all who sail our seas,
For all who love this good, wide land,
Let peace our promise be.		We'll keep the faith and make our land,
Australia, strong and free!
For all who walk the desert sands,
For all who sail our seas,
For all who love this good, wide land,
Let peace our promise be.
or perhaps:or perhaps:
Facing the world she stands,
The light of dawn yet young upon her brow,
Dreaming her future days at promise now,
Far from the grey North lands
Where ancient feuds divide,
Old arrogance of power, old racial crimes
Lord God of nations in these onward times
Guard her and guide...etc. for another four verses.		Facing the world she stands,
The light of dawn yet young upon her brow,
Dreaming her future days at promise now,
Far from the grey North lands
Where ancient feuds divide,
Old arrogance of power, old racial crimes
Lord God of nations in these onward times
Guard her and guide...etc. for another four verses.
Another finalist, a film critic, Mr Bob Ellis, offers:Another finalist, a film critic, Mr Bob Ellis, offers:
Lift your head, Australia!
The hour to stand alone,
Without the proud regalia
Of kingdoms not our own
Approaches every minute,
And bids us speak the right:
Oh, come let us begin it.
Before the fall of night.		Lift your head, Australia!
The hour to stand alone,
Without the proud regalia
Of kingdoms not our own
Approaches every minute,
And bids us speak the right:
Oh, come let us begin it.
Before the fall of night.
From a woman author:From a woman author:
Vast, ancient, free - this land we share,
United in one mind
That colour, creed, and origin
Shall not divide, but bind.		Vast, ancient, free - this land we share,
United in one mind
That colour, creed, and origin
Shall not divide, but bind.
Finally, the carol-like offering from another housewife begins:Finally, the carol-like offering from another housewife begins:
Starry cross in our heavens,
Like opals so bright,
Guide us to freedom and wisdom and light...		Starry cross in our heavens,
Like opals so bright,
Guide us to freedom and wisdom and light...
There were another 2,500 entries that failed to reach this standard.There were another 2,500 entries that failed to reach this standard.
'Advance Australia Fair' was eventually declared the Australian national anthem after public polling. 'God Save the Queen' was designated the Royal Anthem in 1984.'Advance Australia Fair' was eventually declared the Australian national anthem after public polling. 'God Save the Queen' was designated the Royal Anthem in 1984.
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