Advance Australia Fair (new version) - Judith Durham & Kutcha Edwards - FIRST PERFORMANCE!

This is quite possibly the most historically significant event that I am ever likely to capture on my little video camera (apologies for the poor camera work but the subject matter more than justifies making it public).

Three years in the making, this is the premiere performance, on April 29 2009, of the new all-embracing, all-encompassing words to Australia's national anthem "Advance Australia Fair" performed by two of the writers in person.

Judith Durham OAM reads a few words of introduction (acknowledging Deborah Cheetham who hosted the evening), then together with co-lyricist Kutcha Edwards performs the new lyrics to "Advance Australia Fair" for the very first time before a modest gathering at Federation Hall, St Kilda Road, Melbourne as part of the opening celebrations for Wilin 2009.

Following this historic and moving performance, those assembled were encouraged to stand and sing the song aided by words on the screen and by the performers themselves. For the indigenous members of the audience this was an incredibly significant moment, marking the first time in their lives they had stood for, or acknowledged as their own, the song that represents Australia.

Another step towards true reconciliation.

Judith will be releasing the studio version of "Judith Durham's Advance Australia Fair" on a 4-track CD single in the coming weeks through her own label Musicoast. It will also be featured on her "Australian Cities Suite" CD to be unveiled in late 2009.

ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR (New version)
Written by Judith Durham, Kutcha Edwards, Lou Bennett (Tiddas), Camilla Chance, Bill Hauritz and Peter Dodds McCormick.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• national
• anthem
• seekers
• judith
• durham
• kutcha
• edwards
• mabo
• treaty
• aboriginal
• advance
• australia
• fair

[davortech]

We don't need the new anthem thank you. AUSTRALIANS like the old one :-)

[auspete]

I happen to like it too, but indigenous Australians (you know, the original ones who were here just a few tens of thousands of years before European invasion) neither like it nor see it as representative of them.

Judith is a great Australian, lauded and awarded by the Australian Government on many occasions. She has made her version of Advance Australia Fair public now not to offer it as an alternative anthem or as competition for the current anthem but to raise awareness of this issue.

[cameron2610]

So timely Judith with these changes so overdue. Now all our indigenous people and those from other nations can at last sing their hearts out as one with pride and understanding and acceptance. What gifts you have been blessed with. Maybe you can come up with Colours for My Flag just to move us further forward and help deal with that issue. Great work!

[auspete]

No official change as yet Cameron, just a proposal at this stage. Hopefully one day though, in our lifetime.

[makeitreel]

To a U.S. citizen, it's jarring to hear Judith state matter-of-factly that she had to ask the government permission to record her lyrics, a form of free expression. Then again, we now seem headed in the same direction ourselves.

[auspete]

It's probably truer to say that she thought it appropriate to advise the Government of her intentions in case of any negative repercussions later. The Government could have done absolutely nothing to stop Judith, or anyone else, writing anything (freedom of speech being no issue in Australia either), but it was important to her to get official approval. Her plan was obviously for the new lyrics to be performed publicly at some point, so I think this was a very wise move.

[moparmtn]

I wish they would change the National Anthem in the USA... it is the most butchered song on the planet and impossible for most singers to sing. We have songs such as America trhe Beautiful that describe the country and its beauty and is easily singable... I must say Judith is on the right track... as this world needs unity. I pray for her and that the Lord will deliver her vision for humanity, peace and freedom...

Ron, Tennessee

[caznden]

Thank you Auspete, great to hear a version with words that we all grew up with. I also nominate Peter Allen's, "I still call Australia Home" as our National Anthem

[Ianacek]

Say what you might , but Judith Durham  achieved some success at least where politics has completely failed

[Cationification]

Sounds beautiful. But maybe because they are both amazing performers

[shaunsnan]

would love to see a bilingual anthem as the anthems sung by kiwis and South africans

[SKOTP69]

@wijse YES!



[wijse]

When gallant Cook from Albion sailed,

To trace wide oceans o'er,

True British courage bore him on,

Til 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"

"Britannia rules the wave."

In joyful strains then let us sing

Advance Australia fair.

[HardbeatAcolyte]

@HardbeatAcolyte - ah, i was talking about the original version by the way, of course :P

[mducky]

Not a fan tbh

I like the real version better.

[wobblyboost]

My Version "Advance ashtrailer where?" Ashtray-uns all let us be coy For we are dumb and twee! With acid soils and pointless royals A fuck up guaranteed! Our lands are raped beyond repair the bush woodchipped for free! In futile rage, rattle your cage Advance ashtrailer where? With Ho Chi Mins Shit Eating Grin, Advance ashtrailer where?