National Anthem

[Macca 17,120]

How about we change it for "Careless Whisper" this year just for a laugh?

Maybe it were Seether's version, Biff

[beelzebub 23,390]

Very patronising. Surprisingly enough, I do know the words. Hence my comments.

Obviously you didn't understand them, so I suspect you haven't got a poetical bone in your body. Fair enough.

Anyway, on the basis of your argument, every AFL game is national (well, minus Tasmania), so it should be played before every match.

Sad that we are getting to a state where any critical comment, however well-intentioned, is greeted with the modern equivalent of "If you don't like it, go live in Russia". (But Nauru!? - what does that say I wonder?)

So I'll join the times and say if you want the national anthem played gratuitously at every event, go live in the USA and put your hand on your heart.

BTW, the words of their anthem are pretty poor, but at least they have an historical basis as justification for never altering it.

edit: added last 4 words.

Ive neither suggested gratuitous performances nor concede any expertise on your part as to poetry or lyrics.

I do hoever take offence that someone diss's our anthem or in the posters own words "embarrassing song ". By your rule of account thats "wel lintentioned".

And yes , if you ( or whomever) have no time for the National Anthem and what it stands for then ...And ill put it in words that are succint and of a distinct nature

Leave Australia...or [censored] off ...Plain ??

There is without doubt times it may be inappropriate but at the start of a game of national interest and participation I would have thought that should be quite oK.

I suppose you think "standing to " in an RSL is plain silly as well ?

[darkhorse72 1,938]

Its good part of finals, separates it from the home and away.

On memory waltzing matilda won the public vote on the anthem at the time of the nation choosing. So our national anthem would have been about a sheep stealer who commits suicide to stop owning up to his actions...could any nation match that.

The national anthem is what it is, I generally like, prior to its adoption, it was god save the queen (King) so we can always go back to that if you like.

As for girt by sea, buy a dictionary.

[daisycutter 29,926]

c'mon folks, girt your loins

[Guest bluey]

National anthem, National disgrace more like it, la la la la girt bye see.

[Brian Wilson 331]

Can we get the bugler on board?

[north westerly 40]

Why do we have to hear this embarrassing song before each finals game?? We are not at an international event, we are at a footy game between to Aussie teams....Limit it to the GF, even thats too much.

I think you've got bigger things to worry about, namely your spelling !

[Sorge 9]

Khe San is the anthem isn't it?

I wish us old draft resisters had a song like Khe Sanh. And spelling it wouldn't be a problem either. Oh well might as well stick with the Internationale or Red is the East.

[Biffen 12,949]

Maybe it were Seether's version, Biff

[media=]

Not gay enough for a country built on Rum and Sodomy.

I think we should keep the original Wham version.

or perhaps even "Its raining men".

That will help build the sexual tension before the siren.

[PaulRB 6,435]

I like the National Anthem at finals because as it finishes the crowd roars in anticipation of the imminent game.

It's the calm before the storm, and part of the ritual of finals that works a treat.

I for one are looking forward to singing along again in September soon.

[Demons 32 235]

I hate some Australians.... love Australia, but this is just like the "don't put the Australian flag up" argument.

Have some national pride you wanks.

[Biffen 12,949]

I hate some Australians.... love Australia, but this is just like the "don't put the Australian flag up" argument.

Have some national pride you wanks.

Nuthin like draining a few VBs draped in the Union Jack singing a few good old Aussie songs between the ads on Turkish shore in April.

By Jingos.

[Tony Tea 2,816]

Time to revisit the Maroochydore Bambora version. She should have had plenty of time to memorise the words.

[DemonWA 3,940]

the OP is a little heavy handed but I agree that hearing the anthem isnt totally neccesary before evry finals match.

However at elast we dont play it before every game like they do with the star spangled banner in the States!

[Roger Mellie 4,180]

Tie me kangaroo down sport

- now there's an anthem

[Rod Grinter Riot Squad 5,670]

Our anthem at federation. Gee it's hard to understand why anyone would question whether we should change it...

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!"

When gallant Cook from Albion sail'd,

To trace wide oceans o'er,

True British courage bore him on,

Till 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,

"Brittannia rules the wave!"

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!"

While other nations of the globe

Behold us from afar,

We'll rise to high renown and shine

Like our glorious southern star;

From England, Scotia, Erin's Isle,

Who come our lot to share,

Let all combine with heart and hand

To advance Australia fair!

In joyful strains then let us sing

"Advance Australia fair!"

Shou'd foreign foe e'er sight our coast,

Or dare a foot to land,

We'll rouse to arms like sires of yore

To guard our native strand;

Brittannia then shall surely know,

Beyond wide ocean's roll,

Her sons in fair Australia's land

Still keep a British soul.

In joyful strains then let us sing

"Advance Australia fair!"

[P-man 13,367]

The rare occasions when it is sung by tens of thousands of voices in unison (read major Socceroos or Wallabies fixtures), it is a stirring anthem. I have no major issue with playing it for finals. Australia's game, Australia's anthem. Makes sense.

If it offends you that much, go make a cup of coffee. Or concrete.

[stinga81 210]

I don't mind it, the last 5-10 seconds where the song winds up and then 70k start squawking out support of their two teams, gets the spine tingling for mine, its a nice tradition to keep for the finals.

[mauriesy 7,431]

What's wrong with 'girt'?

[daisycutter 29,926]

What's wrong with 'girt'?

it's more appropriate for loins

[beelzebub 23,390]

What's wrong with 'girt'?

nothing..

some cant get past teeny bobby bogan lyrics.

Some have no sense of occasion, national pride. I wont even go to the idea of respect.

We have very little history in comparison to many other peoples and some find that too much even.

No winnig sometimes

[sue 9,240]

Ive neither suggested gratuitous performances nor concede any expertise on your part as to poetry or lyrics.

I do hoever take offence that someone diss's our anthem or in the posters own words "embarrassing song ". By your rule of account thats "wel lintentioned".

And yes , if you ( or whomever) have no time for the National Anthem and what it stands for then ...And ill put it in words that are succint and of a distinct nature

Leave Australia...or [censored] off ...Plain ??

There is without doubt times it may be inappropriate but at the start of a game of national interest and participation I would have thought that should be quite oK.

I suppose you think "standing to " in an RSL is plain silly as well ?

You do a thorough job of conflating my post with the OP. My remarks about 'well-intentioned' criticism being met with abuse was about my own post and your response, not the OP's. I defy anyone to say what I wrote was not 'well-intentioned'; namely that one line of the anthem was poorly written and could be improved as was done to the first line. I then get a torrent of ultra-nationalist "go live in Nauru" / you aren't a loyal Aussie etc abuse from you.

It is sad when well-intention criticism is met with a response like yours. There would be no progress in anything if every time someone suggested a change the argument against them is "if you don't like Australia, [censored] off". Or even worse, being told to become a Collingwood supporter!

[beelzebub 23,390]

Edit: having said that, 'necessary' and 'enjoyable' are different concepts, and I will admit that at the conclusion of the anthem, when the crowd roars, that is a great moment.

How to successfully undermine your own argument in one simple sentence. Congratualtions.

[wackojacko 25]

its actually disrespectful to sing along with it.

[gsmith12 491]

One bit does embarrass me - the line about 'Our home is girt by sea'. It's not the use of 'girt' that gets me, though that probably seems odd to younger people. But that line has no connection to the one proceeding it. It seems to be thrown in just to fill up a line and make a rhyme. Only redeeming quality is that it is true, but as poetry, it stinks. That line needs a re-write. They were happy to change from "Australia's sons" to 'Australians all' when that was deemed politically embarrassing, so a change to avoid poetical embarrassment wouldn't be too radical. ... just my little hobby-horse.

But I agree with the OP - why do it at all finals? Where do you draw the line - why not before every match during the year? Or maybe re-introduce it at the movies before every film? Pretty soon we will indeed be playing it when the bins are collected. Use it sparingly and the value is increased.

Any suggestions Sue ? Surrounded or encircled won't get the job done