'Boring' national anthem sparks fierce debate among Australians: “I am constantly girt by loonies,” jokes one social media user​

There seems to be a lot of debate surrounding our national anthem, with some people claiming it is boring and antiquated, and others asserting that it is actually quite uplifting and progressive.

So, what do people think?

Well, some Reddit users seem to think that the song is indeed quite boring and that the lyrics are outdated.

One user writes sarcastically: "I make a point of using ‘girt’ in a sentence at least once a day", with a user jokingly replying "This is the police! We have you girt!"

Another says: "I've taught primary school music for the last three years, and I get to teach the anthem. I LOVE teaching them about "girt" (I say "this is my FAVOURITE word in the whole song!!")! They go around the school for the rest of the term using girt in sentences!".

However, not everyone agrees. Another user writes: "Never understood this argument. It's actually got quite an uplifting melody and when orchestrated it sounds great. Also, the lyrics are positive and really nice compared to most other national anthems that mention war and how much better they are than their neighbours. The only issue is we don't sing the second verse enough, which imo, is the best. Should always be sung as ours is very short by world standards with only one verse."
​

Some Reddit users seem to think that our national anthem is quite boring
and that the lyrics are outdated. Credits: Shutterstock​

Another user quips: "My home country's (Guatemala) national anthem takes about 5 minutes and 45 seconds to play in its entirety. We would be forced to listen to it frequently in school.

The Australian one is a breath of fresh air for me. I love it."

'Advance Australia Fair' is actually one of the shorter national anthems, clocking in at just over a minute. In comparison, the national anthem of Greece is a whopping 10 minutes long!

The history of our national anthem is also interesting. It was first written in 1878 by Scottish-born composer Peter Dodds McCormick, and was originally titled 'Advance Australia'. The lyrics were later changed to 'Advance Australia Fair' in 1974.

According to Wikipedia, it first replaced "God Save the Queen" as the official national anthem in 1974, following a nationwide opinion survey. "God Save the Queen" was reinstated in January 1976, but a plebiscite to choose the national song in 1977 preferred "Advance Australia Fair", which was restored in 1984.

So, what do you think? Is our national anthem boring, or is it actually quite uplifting? And if you were going to change it, what would you change it to? Let us know in the comments!

 

[vsalmon]

I was brought up singing God save the King and later the Queen We used to sing advance Australia Fair at School but just as a Patriotic song When it was made the Anthem it never felt like a proper Anthem to me.The one song that gets to me and which I would like as the Anthem is "I am Australian" Properly sung it gives me goosebumps

Love I am Australian.

 

[Hi Ho Silver]

Absolutely the most atrocious Anthem I have ever heard. No inspiration whatso ever. There are several other mentioned in this article such as Bruce Woodley's and my favourite I always call Australia home. We need something to make the hair stand up on the back of your neck.

 

[Soozle]

Can you EVER imagine the British National Anthem changing??!!
There is nothing wrong with ours, there are many more important issues to discuss than that.

 

[Stewart]

'Boring' national anthem sparks fierce debate among Australians: “I am constantly girt by loonies,” jokes one social media user​

There seems to be a lot of debate surrounding our national anthem, with some people claiming it is boring and antiquated, and others asserting that it is actually quite uplifting and progressive.

So, what do people think?

Well, some Reddit users seem to think that the song is indeed quite boring and that the lyrics are outdated.

One user writes sarcastically: "I make a point of using ‘girt’ in a sentence at least once a day", with a user jokingly replying "This is the police! We have you girt!"

Another says: "I've taught primary school music for the last three years, and I get to teach the anthem. I LOVE teaching them about "girt" (I say "this is my FAVOURITE word in the whole song!!")! They go around the school for the rest of the term using girt in sentences!".

However, not everyone agrees. Another user writes: "Never understood this argument. It's actually got quite an uplifting melody and when orchestrated it sounds great. Also, the lyrics are positive and really nice compared to most other national anthems that mention war and how much better they are than their neighbours. The only issue is we don't sing the second verse enough, which imo, is the best. Should always be sung as ours is very short by world standards with only one verse."
​

View attachment 3126
Some Reddit users seem to think that our national anthem is quite boring
and that the lyrics are outdated. Credits: Shutterstock​

Another user quips: "My home country's (Guatemala) national anthem takes about 5 minutes and 45 seconds to play in its entirety. We would be forced to listen to it frequently in school.

The Australian one is a breath of fresh air for me. I love it."

'Advance Australia Fair' is actually one of the shorter national anthems, clocking in at just over a minute. In comparison, the national anthem of Greece is a whopping 10 minutes long!

The history of our national anthem is also interesting. It was first written in 1878 by Scottish-born composer Peter Dodds McCormick, and was originally titled 'Advance Australia'. The lyrics were later changed to 'Advance Australia Fair' in 1974.

According to Wikipedia, it first replaced "God Save the Queen" as the official national anthem in 1974, following a nationwide opinion survey. "God Save the Queen" was reinstated in January 1976, but a plebiscite to choose the national song in 1977 preferred "Advance Australia Fair", which was restored in 1984.

So, what do you think? Is our national anthem boring, or is it actually quite uplifting? And if you were going to change it, what would you change it to? Let us know in the comments!

​

 

[Stewart]

'Boring' national anthem sparks fierce debate among Australians: “I am constantly girt by loonies,” jokes one social media user​

There seems to be a lot of debate surrounding our national anthem, with some people claiming it is boring and antiquated, and others asserting that it is actually quite uplifting and progressive.

So, what do people think?

Well, some Reddit users seem to think that the song is indeed quite boring and that the lyrics are outdated.

One user writes sarcastically: "I make a point of using ‘girt’ in a sentence at least once a day", with a user jokingly replying "This is the police! We have you girt!"

Another says: "I've taught primary school music for the last three years, and I get to teach the anthem. I LOVE teaching them about "girt" (I say "this is my FAVOURITE word in the whole song!!")! They go around the school for the rest of the term using girt in sentences!".

However, not everyone agrees. Another user writes: "Never understood this argument. It's actually got quite an uplifting melody and when orchestrated it sounds great. Also, the lyrics are positive and really nice compared to most other national anthems that mention war and how much better they are than their neighbours. The only issue is we don't sing the second verse enough, which imo, is the best. Should always be sung as ours is very short by world standards with only one verse."
​

View attachment 3126
Some Reddit users seem to think that our national anthem is quite boring
and that the lyrics are outdated. Credits: Shutterstock​

Another user quips: "My home country's (Guatemala) national anthem takes about 5 minutes and 45 seconds to play in its entirety. We would be forced to listen to it frequently in school.

The Australian one is a breath of fresh air for me. I love it."

'Advance Australia Fair' is actually one of the shorter national anthems, clocking in at just over a minute. In comparison, the national anthem of Greece is a whopping 10 minutes long!

The history of our national anthem is also interesting. It was first written in 1878 by Scottish-born composer Peter Dodds McCormick, and was originally titled 'Advance Australia'. The lyrics were later changed to 'Advance Australia Fair' in 1974.

According to Wikipedia, it first replaced "God Save the Queen" as the official national anthem in 1974, following a nationwide opinion survey. "God Save the Queen" was reinstated in January 1976, but a plebiscite to choose the national song in 1977 preferred "Advance Australia Fair", which was restored in 1984.

So, what do you think? Is our national anthem boring, or is it actually quite uplifting? And if you were going to change it, what would you change it to? Let us know in the comments!

​

 

[Stewart]

I think our National Anthem is inspirational, but we are still YOUNG and free.

 

[Jennie Kirby]

Boring!!!

 

[Thecheesequeen]

Our current anthem is hard to sing and soloists usually make a mess of it - and why do we need soloists to sing it anyway? There were no soloists singing the anthem where I grew up. Everyone just stood and sang it. I am Australian should be our national anthem. It’s so much more relevant than Advance Australia Fair.

 

[Magrat]

It is our National Anthem. Stop knocking it and show some pride! Take a leaf out of the Ukrainian people!

 

[RhodaStarr]

We will always have "progressives" who will want to change anything that smacks of patriotism, pride and anything old. They are good at criticising but not so good at proposing a better alternative. They don't want to be anchored to something proven by time but would have a meaningless jingle. Leave our flag and anthem alone.

To hear our Anthem at the Olympics Gold medal presentation, before a major sport against another nation, and on Anzac Day make my tears overflow and I feel a sense of pride. We are young and free a young nation in comparison to the world, and also one and free, we have embraced immigrants all around the world who have fled wars and terror to become one with us and love our country, Australia.

 

[PepeLePew]

Never have been and never will be a fan of Advance Australia Fair. Way back when a vote was taken to change the National Anthem, I voted for Waltzing Matilda but would have voted for I Still Call Australia Home had it have been one of the choices.

 

[Ladyjay]

We will always have "progressives" who will want to change anything that smacks of patriotism, pride and anything old. They are good at criticising but not so good at proposing a better alternative. They don't want to be anchored to something proven by time but would have a meaningless jingle. Leave our flag and anthem alone.

They are actually being un australian

 

[Molloy]

Boring as bat shit

 

[WillAnne]

It is a terrible national anthem, certainly not one many relate to or are proud of .

 

[WillAnne]

C

They are actually being un australian

Wrong, a better anthem would be 'We are Australians', it certainly more inclusive and less founded on a British orientated song.

 

[WillAnne]

I like 'we are one , we are many - it is uplifting and sums up our history from the beginning and beautiful and uplifting when sung. Advance Australia Fair - is dated and has been tinkered with so many times. Originally it was a poor reflection of our country.

It needs a lot more tinkering, like placing in the rubbish bin...................

 

[BabsL]

Chuck out "GIRT" by sea, and replace by singing an elongated "SURROUNDED" by sea.
[Sah-roh-houn-ded]

I hv suggested this lyric change several times, to the Government over the years, with zero response.

And, instead of
"for we are young and free",
change it to the much more inclusive, "for we are here and free"!

 

[Dennis]

My only comment is that it is not sung or played enough at all events.

 

[Glover]

Boring

 

[Lawrence1945]

'Boring' national anthem sparks fierce debate among Australians: “I am constantly girt by loonies,” jokes one social media user​

There seems to be a lot of debate surrounding our national anthem, with some people claiming it is boring and antiquated, and others asserting that it is actually quite uplifting and progressive.

So, what do people think?

Well, some Reddit users seem to think that the song is indeed quite boring and that the lyrics are outdated.

One user writes sarcastically: "I make a point of using ‘girt’ in a sentence at least once a day", with a user jokingly replying "This is the police! We have you girt!"

Another says: "I've taught primary school music for the last three years, and I get to teach the anthem. I LOVE teaching them about "girt" (I say "this is my FAVOURITE word in the whole song!!")! They go around the school for the rest of the term using girt in sentences!".

However, not everyone agrees. Another user writes: "Never understood this argument. It's actually got quite an uplifting melody and when orchestrated it sounds great. Also, the lyrics are positive and really nice compared to most other national anthems that mention war and how much better they are than their neighbours. The only issue is we don't sing the second verse enough, which imo, is the best. Should always be sung as ours is very short by world standards with only one verse."
​

View attachment 3126
Some Reddit users seem to think that our national anthem is quite boring
and that the lyrics are outdated. Credits: Shutterstock​

Another user quips: "My home country's (Guatemala) national anthem takes about 5 minutes and 45 seconds to play in its entirety. We would be forced to listen to it frequently in school.

The Australian one is a breath of fresh air for me. I love it."

'Advance Australia Fair' is actually one of the shorter national anthems, clocking in at just over a minute. In comparison, the national anthem of Greece is a whopping 10 minutes long!

The history of our national anthem is also interesting. It was first written in 1878 by Scottish-born composer Peter Dodds McCormick, and was originally titled 'Advance Australia'. The lyrics were later changed to 'Advance Australia Fair' in 1974.

According to Wikipedia, it first replaced "God Save the Queen" as the official national anthem in 1974, following a nationwide opinion survey. "God Save the Queen" was reinstated in January 1976, but a plebiscite to choose the national song in 1977 preferred "Advance Australia Fair", which was restored in 1984.

So, what do you think? Is our national anthem boring, or is it actually quite uplifting? And if you were going to change it, what would you change it to? Let us know in the comments!

​

Keep it as it is. I like it it’s great whether we sing the words or just listen to the music it’s very uplifting.