[Editor: This song, written by Neil McBeath, would appear to be the source for the well-know Australian phrase “I’ll linger longer in Yarrawonga”. Published about 1919.] I’m Going Back Again to Yarrawonga Song Written, Composed & Sung in France Corp. Neil … [Read more...] about I’m Going Back Again to Yarrawonga [song by Neil McBeath, ca.1919]
songs
The Bare Belled Ewe [song, 5 December 1891 (“Click Go the Shears”)]
[Editor: This is the earliest known printed version of “Click Go the Shears”. Published in The Bacchus Marsh Express, 5 December 1891.] The Bare Belled Ewe. (Tune — “Ring the bell, watchman.”) Oh, down at the catching pen an old shearer stands, Grasping his shears in … [Read more...] about The Bare Belled Ewe [song, 5 December 1891 (“Click Go the Shears”)]
Under the Southern Cross I Stand [the Australian cricket team’s victory song]
[Updated 31 January 2022, with videos.] Under the Southern Cross I stand, A sprig of wattle in my hand, A native of my native land, Australia, you f***ing beauty! This poem is one used by the Australian cricket team as their “victory song”; to be recited by the team … [Read more...] about Under the Southern Cross I Stand [the Australian cricket team’s victory song]
Badger, My Gray [song, 13 October 1894]
[Editor: A song published in The Queenslander, 13 October 1894.] Badger, My Gray. (Supplied by R.C.L., Forest Vale.) The coachman may boast of the speed of his mail, The conductor may talk of his steam and his rail, But for travelling long journeys on day after … [Read more...] about Badger, My Gray [song, 13 October 1894]
A Patriotic Song [song by Agnes L. Storrie]
[Editor: This poem by Agnes L. Storrie was published in Poems, 1909.] A Patriotic Song. Australia! heiress of the years, Set in thy circling ocean, Dear native land ! by this right hand I pledge thee my devotion. Here is mine arm for thy defence, True as the cross … [Read more...] about A Patriotic Song [song by Agnes L. Storrie]
A Song [poem by Agnes L. Storrie]
[Editor: This poem by Agnes L. Storrie was published in Poems, 1909.] A Song. There is no day When thou’rt away, No hour of these so fraught with pain. So full of gloom, But learns to bloom, Remembering thou wilt come again. Oh! had’st thou heard How every … [Read more...] about A Song [poem by Agnes L. Storrie]
Advance, Australia [song by Walker and McBurney, circa 1883]
[Editor: A patriotic song; words written by J. Eccleston Walker, music composed by Samuel D. McBurney. Published in The Empire Songster (1900).] Advance, Australia. (By permission of Dr. McBurney, Melbourne) J. Eccleston Walker S.D. McBurney, Mus. D. Rise, … [Read more...] about Advance, Australia [song by Walker and McBurney, circa 1883]
The Tasmanian National Anthem [song by F. A. Packer, circa 1879-1890]
[Editor: A national anthem for the colony of Tasmania (published circa 1879-1890), by Frederick Augustus Gow Packer (1839-1902).] The Tasmanian National Anthem, by F. A. Packer. Tasmanian National Anthem. F. A. Packer. 1. All hail the land we love so … [Read more...] about The Tasmanian National Anthem [song by F. A. Packer, circa 1879-1890]
Australia, or Heart to Heart and Hand to Hand [song, 1890s]
[Editor: A patriotic song, written by the Rev. Thomas Hilhouse Taylor (1861-1925). Words taken from the sheet music (published circa 1890-1899). The chorus was later incorporated into the Australian cricket team’s victory song, “Under the Southern Cross I Stand”.] Sung with … [Read more...] about Australia, or Heart to Heart and Hand to Hand [song, 1890s]
Songs for the Miners. No. IV. [song, 30 May 1851]
[Editor: One of a series of “Songs for the Miners” published in The Empire, 1851.] Songs for the Miners. No. IV. [Our late Devil was overheard singing the following song the last thing before he started for the Diggings.] Believe me, if all those enticing long yams, … [Read more...] about Songs for the Miners. No. IV. [song, 30 May 1851]
Songs for the Miners. No. 3. [song, 26 May 1851]
[Editor: One of a series of “Songs for the Miners” published in The Empire, 1851.] Songs for the Miners. No. 3. The Baker’s Boy* to the mines is gone, In the diggers’ ranks you’ll find him ; His master’s shovel he has girded on, And the flour-sieve slung behind … [Read more...] about Songs for the Miners. No. 3. [song, 26 May 1851]
Songs for the Miners. No. 2. [song, 24 May 1851]
[Editor: One of a series of “Songs for the Miners” published in The Empire, 1851.] Songs for the Miners. No. 2. Softly as falls the bell-bird’s song, Our shovels we ply and our hopes grow strong ; Soon as the loaves in store looks small, For Bathurst we’ll start … [Read more...] about Songs for the Miners. No. 2. [song, 24 May 1851]
Songs for the Miners. No. I. [song, 22 May 1851]
[Editor: One of a series of “Songs for the Miners” published in The Empire, 1851.] Songs for the Miners. No. I. Away, away to the Bathurst ground, Where the “dust” is brightly shining : Away, away to the “Diggins” found, Where the boys are busily mining. And Midas, … [Read more...] about Songs for the Miners. No. I. [song, 22 May 1851]
Unity is Strength ! [song, 6 June 1898]
[Editor: A song written to promote the federation of the Australian colonies.] A federal song. By request we publish the following Federal Song, sung at the demonstration in Sale on Tuesday night by the united choir:— Unity is Strength ! Air, “Men of … [Read more...] about Unity is Strength ! [song, 6 June 1898]
With My Swag All On My Shoulder [folk music, videos]
“With My Swag All on My Shoulder”, also known as “With My Swag Upon My Shoulder”, is an Australian folk song, which is part of Australia’s folk music tradition. The lyrics are available here. The Seekers - With My Swag All On My Shoulder … [Read more...] about With My Swag All On My Shoulder [folk music, videos]
Britannia’s Volunteers [song, 12 September 1885]
Britannia’s Volunteers. When air resounds with war’s alarms, And conscripts from afar, Like driven sheep are forced to arms To make aggressive war, Let soldier-ridden lands beware When freemen turn to fight; When Britain’s sons their flag may bear They stand with … [Read more...] about Britannia’s Volunteers [song, 12 September 1885]
“Don Bradman” [song, 1 September 1932]
[Editor: This is an excerpt from “The Children’s Pages” section of The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld.), 1 September 1932. The song is about the famous cricketer, Don Bradman; some music videos of the song are also available.] “Don Bradman.” A reader of “The Queenslander” … [Read more...] about “Don Bradman” [song, 1 September 1932]
On the Far Barcoo [song, 24 June 1932]
[Editor: This song is from Bill Bowyang’s column, “On the Track”, in the The Townsville Daily Bulletin, 1932.] Old Bush Verse. Several readers have asked for the words of an old bush song entitled “On the Far Barcoo,” and now that I have received the words I reprint them … [Read more...] about On the Far Barcoo [song, 24 June 1932]
God Bless Australia [song, 5 October 1929]
God Bless Australia! Air: “God Save the King!” By William J. MacDonald. God bless Australia grand! God bless our native land, Our land we love! Free may she ever be, And all united we, Our Flag of Liberty Floating above! Be she a happy land; Foes, if they come, … [Read more...] about God Bless Australia [song, 5 October 1929]
Australians! Rise & Federate [song, 15 November 1895]
Australians! Rise & Federate. Australians, rise ! Why longer wait While parliaments prolong debate On themes that new dissensions breed? Arrest this paltry, party strife That bars us from the larger life, And panders to provincial greed. Australians, rise ! No longer … [Read more...] about Australians! Rise & Federate [song, 15 November 1895]
An Australian Anthem: The People’s Hymn [song, 15 May 1880]
[Editor: A song published in The Australian Town and Country Journal, 15 May 1880.] An Australian Anthem. To the Editor. Sir, — In furtherance of your correspondent’s suggestion, I send you manuscript of an Australian hymn or anthem :— The People’s Hymn. Power … [Read more...] about An Australian Anthem: The People’s Hymn [song, 15 May 1880]
Australian Anthem: The Sun of Australia [song, 17 October 1854]
Australian Anthem. The Sun of Australia. By Robert Wisdom. The Sun of Australia rose ’Mid the storms and clouds of crime, And his lustre was dimmed with wrongs and woes Such as those of the olden time. But the voice of heaven was heard aloud, And that sun burst … [Read more...] about Australian Anthem: The Sun of Australia [song, 17 October 1854]
Song: To the Tune of Rule Britannia [song, 1 February 1817]
[Editor: A song, written by a Mr. Jenkins, sung at a function in 1817 to celebrate the founding of the colony of New South Wales.] Song. To the Tune of Rule Britannia. When first Australia rose to fame, And Seamen brave explored her shore; Neptune with joy, with joy … [Read more...] about Song: To the Tune of Rule Britannia [song, 1 February 1817]
To J——. [poem, 10 February 1825]
[Editor: This song, written by a young woman, was of a personal nature, and therefore the name of the object of the verses, the person to whom the text was addressed, was not published, with the work being entitled “To J—”, instead of, for example, “To John”. The editor of the … [Read more...] about To J——. [poem, 10 February 1825]
A National Song [song, 17 April 1900]
A National Song. Up, up, Australians, shout aloud Our strain of jubilee; Be brave in war, in peace be proud Of our grand liberty; With thousand sounding voices fill The regions of the air.— Far over gum-clad vale and hill Shout, shout Australia. Wave Austral’s … [Read more...] about A National Song [song, 17 April 1900]