Dear Mr O,

If any one of us were to look at the histories behind
some National Anthems - we might be very surprised.
From the "Star-Spangled Banner", to
Finland, Estonia, and the African States. Emotions
often run high with National Symbols, at least for
some. But as I stated in my earlier post - to aim
for a consensus is a good thing. Unification not division.

Who cares if they change all the words, the Dirge will still be a dirge.

I heard an opinion on this earlier today, suggesting that there would be outrage in say, America, if anyone dared touch their anthem; but, here in Australia, nobody really cares that much about such things. Could be.

Hi Foxy

A good tip. We don't even need to mention "sea"

Instead I've added "in peace and harmony" to the 4th line:

Here's "ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR" currently http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance_Australia_Fair#Lyrics .

So here tis:

Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are one and free;
We've golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home in peace and harmony;
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."

Better? Whadayareckon fellow OLOsters?
_____________________________________

Centrist OLO-Australians (Foxy, Joe, Paul1405, planta, SteeleRedux, Alan B. & Mr Opinion, RULE OK?!

Dear Pete,

I like your arrangement.
However, I would still prefer the following:

" Australian all let us rejoice
In peace and harmony
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".

But that's just me.

Mr Opinion: "Where did you find the neanderthal link mentioned? I think you have misinterpreted something you read."

It is common knowledge that when homo-sapiens first left Africa they interbred with Neanderthals. If you examined the DNA of someone who isn't solely of African descent, such as anyone with European or Asian heritage, then you will almost certainly find some remants of Neanderthal DNA. This also applies to Aboriginals/New Guineans. Here is an article at the general public popular science level from a well regarded publisher that mentions it: http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110922/full/news.2011.551.html
And here's a research article at a deeper scientific level: http://science.sciencemag.org/content/328/5979/710

Anyway, this talk of aboriginal migration and neanderthal DNA has very little to do with the thread's topic of the National Anthem so I won't be saying much more about it.