The music of this song was composed, and the lyrics written, towards the end of the XIX century by Peter Dodds McCormick.
But then, God Save the Queen, - or its masculine version God Save the King when the British monarch was a man - , was used as the national anthem by the British government, and recognized as the royal anthem by most Commonwealth countries, including Australia.
During the Second World War, Advance Australia Fair became increasingly popular, and that was how, after a referendum organised in 1977 concerning the choice of the Australian national anthem, Advance Australia Fair was finally adopted as the national anthem in 1984.
Melbourne
Today’s lyrics, less warlike, are somewhat different from the original version. While Great Britain no longer features therein, God Save the Queen is still Australian’s royal anthem. The very pleasant vocal version on this page was sung by Julie Anthony.
Advance Australia Fair
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!"