[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]
songs
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 and music videos, 1 September 1932]
[Editor: An excerpt from “The Children’s Pages” section of The Queenslander, 1932. A transcription from the music videos is given at the end.] “Don Bradman.” A reader of “The Queenslander” has our thanks for these words. “Silver Waves” asked for them: Who is it that … [Read more...] about “Don Bradman.” [song and music videos, 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]
The Mustering Day [song, 15 September 1923]
The Mustering Day. (To the tune of “So Early in the Morning”). The old boss came to the man’s hut door, And said as he’d often said before To-morrow will be mustering day, So boys be up and get away. Chorus. So early in the morning, So early in the morning, So … [Read more...] about The Mustering Day [song, 15 September 1923]
An Anthem for the Australasian League [song by Charles Harpur, 1853]
[Editor: This poem by Charles Harpur was published in The Bushrangers; A Play in Five Acts, and Other Poems (1853).] An Anthem for the Australasian League. Shall we sing of Loyalty To the far South’s fiery youth? Yea — but let the paean be Of loyalty to God and … [Read more...] about An Anthem for the Australasian League [song by Charles Harpur, 1853]
Young Henry the Poacher [song, 1800s]
[Editor: A song, “Young Henry the Poacher”, also known as “Henry’s Downfall”, which was originally printed as a broadside ballad.] Young Henry the Poacher Come all you wild and wicked youths wherever you may be, I pray you give attention and listen unto me, The fate of … [Read more...] about Young Henry the Poacher [song, 1800s]
Hints to Candidates [song by Charles Thatcher, 1857]
[Editor: This song by Charles Thatcher was published in Thatcher’s Colonial Songster, 1857.] Hints To Candidates. Thatcher’s celebrated Election Song, as sung by him at the “Shamrock.” Tune — “Bob and Joan.” Candidates draw near, We often have elections; Listen, and … [Read more...] about Hints to Candidates [song by Charles Thatcher, 1857]
Colonial Education [song by Charles Thatcher, 1857]
[Editor: This song by Charles Thatcher was published in Thatcher’s Colonial Songster, 1857.] Colonial Education. New Original Song, written and sung by Thatcher. Tune — “Drops of Brandy.” Oh, what a discussion there’s been, On the subject of State Education; Some … [Read more...] about Colonial Education [song by Charles Thatcher, 1857]
The Unsuccessful Swell [song by Charles Thatcher, 1857]
[Editor: This song by Charles Thatcher was published in Thatcher’s Colonial Songster, 1857.] The Unsuccessful Swell. An Original Song by Chas. R. Thatcher. Tune — “Bow wow, wow.” I’ll sing now of a fine young swell, Who in a ship did sail here; And came and made his … [Read more...] about The Unsuccessful Swell [song by Charles Thatcher, 1857]