Anthems and Songs

Contents

Symbols of Australia 4 Australian anthems and songs 5 How do anthems and songs represent Australia? 6 ‘Advance Australia Fair’ 8 ‘I Still Call Australia Home’ 10 ‘I Am Australian’ 12 ‘From Little Things Big Things Grow’ 14 ‘Wild Colonial Boy’ 16 ‘Waltzing Matilda’ 18 ‘Botany Bay’ 20 ‘Click Go the Shears’ 22 ‘Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport’ 24 ‘Home Among the Gum Trees’ 26 ‘My Island Home’ 28 Try this! 30 Glossary 31 Index 32

Glossary words When a word is printed in bold, click on it to find its meaning.

Symbols of Australia Australian anthems

Symbols of Australia represent Australia and its people. They represent our land, governments and stories. Most importantly, and songs symbols reflect our shared experiences as Australians. Australian anthems and songs are symbols of our country’s What are symbols? unique music. Some of these songs use Australian slang or Symbols can take many forms, such as objects, places and events. Some Indigenous instruments. All Australian songs tell stories about symbols are official, while others are unofficial. Official symbols include us as Australians. Some songs have a special meaning to many government flags, emblems, commemorative days and the national anthem. Australians. These are called national songs. Unofficial symbols include folk songs, foods, landmarks and icons. Why do we have anthems and songs? Why do we have symbols? National anthems often celebrate the Search for an anthem Australian symbols have special meanings. They inspire a sense of pride and history, people, traditions and natural environment of a country. Our national In 1973, the Australian government belonging in Australians. Symbols identify us as uniquely Australian. held a competition to find a new anthem, ‘Advance Australia Fair’, national anthem to replace ‘God Save Who chooses Australian symbols? which was adopted in 1984, represents the Queen’. There were 2500 entries Some symbols are created by Australia’s Australians all around the world. National for the words of the song, called governments and other authorities. songs share important lyrics, and 1300 entries for the music. None of these were selected. Other symbols are items from our or entertaining stories culture, natural environment about a country. Our and history that have national songs bring become important to Australians together Australians over time. as one.

Australia Sports teams, such as the The shape of Australia’s Australian rugby team, coastline, as seen on this globe, often sing our national is one of the most recognisable anthem before an symbols of the country. important match.

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Macmillan Digital Library: Symbols of Australia © Macmillan Publishers Australia 2011 isbn 978 1 4202 9186 5 Macmillan Digital Library: Symbols of Australia © Macmillan Publishers Australia 2011 isbn 978 1 4202 9186 5

Who writes our anthems and songs? How do anthems and Australian anthems and songs are written by people with very different backgrounds. Some are poets, composers, members of rock songs represent Australia? bands, comedians and country music artists. Not all of these people are Australian. Peter Dodds McCormick, who wrote our national Australian anthems and songs represent Australia as a young anthem, was originally from Scotland. country with an Indigenous heritage that includes the oldest continuous living cultures in the world. Our national anthem celebrates the best of Australia’s history, people and natural environment. It inspires patriotism in Australians. Some Australian anthems and songs are funny and light-hearted. They represent Australia’s cheeky and rebellious spirit.

Peter Dodds McCormick did not use Types of anthems and songs his own name when he published A national anthem is the official song of a country. Most countries have ‘Advance Australia Fair’. Instead, he used the name ‘Amicus’, which just one national anthem. ‘Advance Australia Fair’ is Australia’s national means ‘friend’ in Latin. anthem. Australia also has many national songs, a number of which are folk songs. These are traditional songs that share and celebrate the experiences of ordinary people. Modern Australian national songs come in different forms. They may be moving ballads, funny singalong songs, protest songs or pop songs that make people want to dance! Some of these national songs are considered unofficial anthems of Australia.

Songs about towns Some of our national songs are about Australian towns. In 1962, ‘I’ve Been Everywhere’ was a hit for singer Lucky Starr on the Australian music charts. It lists more than 90 Australian towns. To see if your town is on the list, visit this website: http://www.ivebeeneverywhere.com.au/ Many Australians enjoy singing national songs ?page_id=10 around a camp fire.

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‘Advance Australia Fair’ ‘Advance Australia Fair’ ‘Rejoice’ means ‘celebrate’ ‘Advance Australia Fair’ was declared Australia’s national Australians all let us rejoice, or ‘be happy’. Australia is free of wars For we are young and free; anthem on 19 April 1984. The national anthem is an official and no longer a colony. Australian soil is rich with We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil; natural resources, such as gold. ‘Toil’ means ‘work’. song that represents Australia and its people. Peter Dodds ‘Girt’ means ‘surrounded’. Our home is girt by sea; McCormick composed ‘Advance Australia Fair’ in the late 1800s. Australia is an island, Our land abounds in nature’s gifts Australia has a diverse surrounded by seas. natural environment, It was first performed in public in 1878. ‘Advance Australia Fair’ Of beauty rich and rare; with rainforests, deserts, In history’s page, let every stage bushland and beaches. is a song about Australia. ‘Advance’ means to patriotic progress, or move ahead. Advance Australia Fair. How is it a symbol of Australia? In joyful strains then let us sing, Advance Australia Fair. ‘Fair’ can mean ‘beautiful’, Through simple yet inspiring lyrics, ‘Advance Australia Fair’ symbolises ‘honest’ or ‘reasonable’. our country’s natural environment and hopes for the future. The national The Southern Cross is Beneath our radiant Southern Cross a group of stars easily We’ll toil with hearts and hands; The Commonwealth of seen in the Southern Australia was formed on anthem is sung on official occasions, such as government ceremonies, Hemisphere. It is a To make this Commonwealth of ours 1 January 1901, a day symbol used on many also known as Federation. international sports events and school assemblies. The national anthem Australian flags, including Renowned of all the lands; unites all Australians in song. our national flag. For those who’ve come across the seas This refers to the many We’ve boundless plains to share; migrants who have made Australia home. With courage let us all combine ‘Advance Australia Fair’ was sung by a choir of 10 000 at celebrations marking To Advance Australia Fair. Federation on 1 January 1901 in In joyful strains then let us sing, Sydney, New South Wales. Advance Australia Fair.

Australia’s national anthems ‘Advance Australia Fair’ was Australia’s second national anthem. Our first national anthem was ‘God Save the Queen’, which is the national anthem of the United Kingdom. It became the Australian national anthem in 1788 with the arrival of the first British settlers.

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‘I Still Call Australia Home’ ‘I Still Call Australia Home’

In some parts of I’ve been to cities that never close down, Australian songwriter and entertainer Peter Allen wrote Australia, it is illegal to From New York to Rio and old London town, ‘I Still Call Australia Home’ in 1980. It became very popular open shops on Sundays. Until the 1950s and But no matter how far or how wide I roam, 1960s, most Australian in Australia and was soon considered a national song. Allen public bars closed at I still call Australia home. had been living in the United States for many years when he 6 p.m. Australians have the I’m always travelling, I love being free, freedom to travel anywhere in the world. wrote ‘I Still Call Australia Home’. The sun and the sea And so I keep leaving the sun and the sea, are popular symbols of Australia is surrounded Australia’s weather and But my heart lies waiting over the foam, by seas. ‘Foam’ refers outdoor lifestyle. How is it a symbol of Australia? I still call Australia home. to sea foam carried by the waves. ‘I Still Call Australia Home’ is a moving song about love for Australia Many Australians All the sons and daughters spinning ’round the world, travel overseas. Each and longing for home. It is symbolic of how many Australians feel when month, around 565 000 Away from their family and friends, Australians leave But as the world gets older and colder, travelling or living overseas. Australia on business As we grow older, many trips or holidays. It’s good to know where your journey ends. of us long to be at home. Australians leave A national song in advertisements But someday we’ll all be together once more, the country knowing Peter Allen often performed in they have a place to In 2009, 13-year-old Torres Strait Islander When all of the ships come back to the shore, call home. costumes, such as this vest printed Peter Allen is saying Tyus Arndt sang ‘I Still Call Australia Home’ that despite living Then I realise something I’ve always known, with the Australian flag, to show overseas, he has always he was a proud Australian. in a Qantas advertisement. He sang the considered Australia to I still call Australia home. opening verse in Kala Lagaw Ya, a language be his true home. No matter how far spoken in the western Torres Strait Islands. Or how wide I roam I still call Australia home.

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‘I Am Australian’ The Dreamtime is ‘I Am Australian’ the time of creation This refers to for Indigenous Australia’s Red Centre, ‘I Am Australian’ was written by Bruce Woodley and Dobe Australians. I came from the Dreamtime, from the dusty red soil plains. where the soil is red I am the ancient heart, the keeper of the flame. because of its iron Newton in 1987. It is often played at Australian citizenship content. Australia’s first British I stood upon the rocky shore, I watched the tall ships come. ceremonies. ‘I Am Australian’ has been used in television and settlers arrived in 1788 on 11 ships known as For 40 000 years I’ve been the first ustralian.A radio advertisements for organisations such as The Salvation the First Fleet. We are one, but we are many We are all united as Army and Telstra. Australia is a Australians, but come multicultural society. And from all the lands on Earth we come from many different People from all over We share a dream and sing with one voice: backgrounds. How is it a symbol of Australia? the world have made I am, you are, we are Australian. Symbol fact Australia their home. ‘I Am Australian’ symbolises Australia’s history, Bruce Woodley and his Around 160 000 I came upon the prison ship, bowed down by iron chains. convicts were sent to multicultural society and natural environment. daughter Claire sang Australia from Britain I cleared the land, endured the lash and waited for the rains. two new verses of ‘I Am between 1787 and I’m a settler, I’m a farmer’s wife on a dry and barren run. ‘Run’ is an old word Its lyrics feature many popular symbols and 1867. A convict then a free man, I became Australian. for grazing land for Australian’ at the National sheep and cattle. heroes from Australian history. ‘I Am Australian’ Day of Mourning service ‘Barren’ means that it We are one, but we are many was dry and did not is a song that unites all Australians, while to commemorate the And from all the lands on Earth we come have grass. loss of 173 lives in the acknowledging our many differences. We share a dream and sing with one voice: Victorian bushfires of I am, you are, we are Australian. 7 February 2009. Here, ‘digger’ means Bruce Woodley (far right) and his daughter Claire I’m the daughter of a digger who sought the mother lode. a person who dug for (second from right) sang ‘I Am Australian’ at the gold, the mother lode, during the gold rush. National Day of Mourning service with two survivors The girl became a woman on the long and dusty road. of the Black Saturday bushfires. The Great Depression I’m a child of the Depression, I saw the good times come. was a time of great hardship and high I’m a bushy, I’m a battler, I am Australian. unemployment in the 1930s around the We are one, but we are many world. And from all the lands on Earth we come We share a dream and sing with one voice: I am, you are, we are Australian.

I’m a teller of stories, I’m a singer of songs Albert Namatjira ‘Clancy’ is a character (1902–1959) was one in A. B. ‘Banjo’ I am Albert Namatjira, I paint the ghostly gums. of Australia’s best- Paterson’s poem I am Clancy on his horse, I’m Ned Kelly on the run. known artists. He Clancy of the Overflow, was famous for his published in 1889. I’m the one who waltzed Matilda, I am Australian … watercolour paintings of outback desert landscapes.

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‘From Little Things ‘From Little Things Big Things Grow’

Gather round people let me tell you a story Lord Vestey was the The Wave Hill Walkout British owner of Wave began as a protest An eight-year-long story of power and pride Hill Cattle Station, Big Things Grow’ against poor pay. British Lord Vestey and Vincent Lingiari located about 700 Over time, it became kilometres south a fight for the return Were opposite men on opposite sides of Darwin. Vincent Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody wrote ‘From Little Things Big of Gurindji land to the Lingiari was the Gurindji people. Gurindji elder who led Things Grow’ in 1991. It tells the story of the 1966 Wave Hill Vestey was fat with money and muscle the strike. Walkout, when Gurindji stockmen went on strike to protest Lord Vestey came Beef was his business, broad was his door from a very wealthy In 1966, Vincent working conditions at Wave Hill Cattle Station, in the Northern family that had made Vincent was lean and spoke very little Lingiari and other its money on food He had no bank balance, hard dirt was his floor Aboriginal Australian Territory. The protest lasted eight years and helped to start the products, including stockmen received beef. He owned more their wages in salt, movement. than 50 000 square From little things big things grow beef, bread and Indigenous land rights kilometres of the tobacco. Some workers Northern Territory. From little things big things grow were paid up to $6 a How is it a symbol of Australia? week. Wave Hill Cattle Gurindji were working for nothing but rations Station was built ‘From Little Things Big Things Grow’ is a symbol of the Indigenous Australian on Daguragu, the Where once they had gathered the wealth of the land The Gurindji people traditional lands of decided to fight Lord struggle for fair treatment and land rights. In 1975, the Gurindji people the Gurindji people. Daily the pressure got tighter and tighter Gurindji decided they must make a stand Vestey and protest became the first Indigenous Australians to have land returned to them the poor working conditions at Wave by the Australian government. The strikers chose Hill Cattle Station. Wattie Creek as the They picked up their swags and started off walking The song celebrates the bravery place to stage their At Wattie Creek they sat themselves down A new version protest. They walked away from their jobs Now it don’t sound like much but it sure got tongues talking The protest was of the Gurindji people and In 2009, Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody and set up camp Back at the homestead and then in the town reported on the Vincent Lingiari, who led his rewrote the lyrics to ‘From Little Things there. news and attracted attention around Big Things Grow’ to commemorate Australia. people in the strike. On 16 August From little things big things grow former prime minister Kevin Rudd’s 1975, a portion of land at Wave Hill From little things big things grow apology to the Stolen Generations. Cattle Station was symbolically handed back to the Gurindji Vestey man said I’ll double your wages people by then prime Seven quid a week you’ll have in your hand minister Gough Whitlam. Vincent said uhuh we’re not talking about wages We’re sitting right here till we get our land For eight years, the Gurindji strikers Vestey man roared and Vestey man thundered rejected offers of You don’t stand the chance of a cinder in snow more pay. They were fighting for their land. The brave actions of Vince said if we fall others are rising … These Gurindji the Gurindji strikers stockmen played encouraged other an important role Indigenous Australians to fight for land in the Indigenous rights. See the full lyrics at: land rights http://www.amws.com.au/pk/ movement. lyrics/from-little-things.html

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‘Wild Colonial Boy’ ‘Wild Colonial Boy’

‘Wild Colonial Boy’ is an Australian and Irish folk song with In 1861, the young … In ’61 this daring youth bushranger known as Commenced his wild career, many different versions. In Australia, the best-known version of the ‘Wild Colonial Boy’ began his life of crime. With a heart that knew no danger, this song focuses on an imaginary young bushranger, or thief, No stranger did he fear. named Jack Doolan. He bailed up the Beechworth roll mail coach, Mail coaches were used to transport And robbed Judge MacEvoy, mail and passengers Who trembled and gave up his gold to in the colonies. They How is it a symbol of Australia? sometimes carried gold The wild colonial boy. from the goldfields ‘Wild Colonial Boy’ is a symbol of Australia in the 1800s, a time when to cities and towns, He bade the judge, ’Good morning‘, such as Beechworth in bushrangers robbed many travellers in bush and country towns. Some northeastern Victoria. And told him to beware, people believed the police treated bushrangers unfairly. They saw the Jack Doolan is saying That he’d never rob a poor man that he would rob only bushrangers as heroes. ‘Wild Colonial Boy’ presents Jack Doolan as a brave, Who wafted on the square, people who were rich. Mounted troopers young man who had to steal to help his poor parents. Three mounted troopers came in sight were police officers Kelly, Davis and Fitzroy, on horseback. Who thought that they would capture him, The wild colonial boy. A bushranger with many names Bushrangers, armed with pistols, In other versions of the song, Jack Doolan often attacked mail coaches and ’Surrender now, Jack Doolan, is sometimes known as ‘John’ or ‘Jack’ stole valuable items, such as gold, You see we’re three to one. Davis, Dolan, Dollard, Donahoe, Dooley, jewellery and money. Surrender in the Queen’s name You daring highwayman.’ ‘Highwayman’ is a Dowlan, Dowling, Dubbin or Duggan. British term for a type Jack drew two pistols from his belt, of bandit who robbed And waved them proud and free rich travellers on roads. The Australian word for ’I’ll fight, but not surrender,’ this is ‘bushranger’. Cried the wild colonial boy.

He fired at trooper Kelly And brought him to the ground, And in return from Davis ‘Mortal’ means ‘deadly’. Received a mortal wound. The gunshot killed Jack Doolan. All shattered through the jaws he lay Still firing at Fitzroy, And that’s the way they captured him, The wild colonial boy.

See the full lyrics at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ The_Wild_Colonial_Boy

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‘Waltzing Matilda’ A swagman is a travelling, temporary ‘Waltzing Matilda’ worker. A billabong is A coolabah tree is a waterhole or old river Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong, ‘Waltzing Matilda’ is one of Australia’s best-loved songs. This path that is filled by a type of gum tree floods or high water Under the shade of a coolabah tree, (Eucalyptus coolabah). bush ballad was written in 1895 by A. B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson and levels. And he sang as he watched and waited ‘til his billy boiled, A billy is a small, metal Christina Macpherson. ‘Waltzing Matilda’ tells the story of a You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me. pot used to boil water The waltz is a type or cook food in the swagman who is caught stealing a sheep from a squatter. The of ballroom dance. bush. ‘Matilda’ is another Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda, name for the swagman drowns himself to avoid being captured by the police. swagman’s swag, a You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me, bundle that carried And he sang as he watched and waited ‘til his billy boiled, bedding and other How is it a symbol of Australia? belongings. You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me.

‘Waltzing Matilda’ is a symbol of rebellion, or a fight against authority. The ‘Jumbuck’ is an Down came a jumbuck to drink at that billabong, Australian word song has uniquely Australian characters, such as the swagman, the jumbuck for ‘sheep’. Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee, and the squatter. It has inspired artworks, books, television shows, movies And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tuckerbag, A tuckerbag is a bag You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me. used to store food and and other songs. cooking utensils. Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda, You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me, A familiar melody And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tuckerbag, The melody for ‘Waltzing Matilda’ was You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me. inspired by a Scottish folk song, ‘Thou Squatters grazed Up rode the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred, Bonnie Wood of Craigie-Lea’. Christina cattle or sheep on Macpherson, who wrote the melody for land owned by the Down came the troopers, one, two, three, Troopers were mounted government. Many Whose that jolly jumbuck you’ve got in your tuckerbag? police officers during ‘Waltzing Matilda’, first heard the Scottish squatters became the colonial era. Swag very wealthy. A You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me. folk song performed at a horse race in thoroughbred is a Warrnambool, in Victoria. pure-bred horse. Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda, You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me, Whose that jolly jumbuck you’ve got in your tuckerbag? You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me.

The swagman chose to Up jumped the swagman and sprang into the billabong, drown himself rather than be punished by ‘You’ll never catch me alive,’ said he, the troopers. And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong, You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me. Billy Swagmen were Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda, unemployed bush You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me, travellers who visited And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong, farms and cattle or sheep stations in search You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me. of food and work.

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‘Botany Bay’ Most convicts who ‘Botany Bay’ were sent to New South Wales and the other ‘Botany Bay’ is a popular Australian folk song. It was written Australian colonies Farewell to old England forever, ‘Rum culls’ is slang for never saw England Farewell to my rum culls as well, ‘drinking friends’. in 1885 for a British musical called Little Jack Sheppard. ‘Botany again. Farewell to the well-known Old Bailey The ‘Old Bailey’ is the Bay’ tells the story of convicts being shipped from England to Where I used for to cut such a swell. Central Criminal Court in London, where many the colony of New South Wales. convicts received their Singing too-ral, li-ooral, li-addity, punishments. Singing too-ral, li-ooral, li-ay, How is it a symbol of Australia? Singing too-ral, li-ooral, li-addity, ‘Botany Bay’ is a symbol of Australia’s colonial history. It reminds us of the And we’re bound for Botany Bay … Many of the convicts first British settlers – the convicts who were transported on the First Fleet. ‘Taint leaving old England we cares about, sent to Australia ‘Taint ‘cos we mis-spells what we knows, were found guilty of ‘Botany Bay’ uses humour to express the sadness the convicts would have small crimes, such felt when they were forced to leave their family and friends in England. The worst convicts But because all we light-fingered gentry as pickpocketing were shackled with Hops around with a log on our toes. a handkerchief or leg-irons to stop them stealing a loaf of It also tells of the suffering they endured while on the long voyage to from running away. bread. They were said New South Wales. Singing too-ral, li-ooral, li-addity, to have ‘light fingers’. Singing too-ral, li-ooral, li-ay, The 11 ships of the First Fleet landed Singing too-ral, li-ooral, li-addity, And we’re bound for Botany Bay. An unsuitable location at Botany Bay on 20 January 1788. The convict singing this song has been On 20 January 1788, the First Fleet anchored given a 14-year These seven long years I’ve been serving now sentence. Many other in Botany Bay. The British officers found that convicts received And seven long more have to stay, shorter sentences of All for bashing a bloke down our alley Botany Bay had poor soil and lacked fresh water. seven years. And taking his ticker away. ‘Ticker’ is slang for The ships then sailed to Port Jackson, which had ‘pocketwatch’. better conditions for setting up a colony. Singing too-ral, li-ooral, li-addity, Singing too-ral, li-ooral, li-ay, Singing too-ral, li-ooral, li-addity, And we’re bound for Botany Bay … ‘Dookies’ is slang for ‘duke’. This verse is Now all my young dookies and duchesses, a funny warning to children, who are Take warning from what I’ve to say: called ‘young dookies Mind all is your own as you touch-es-es and duchesses’ here, that they will be Or you’ll find us in Botany Bay. punished if they commit crimes.

See the full lyrics at: http://folkstream.com/010.html

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‘Click Go the Shears’ ‘Click Go the Shears’ ‘Click Go the Shears’ is a folk song that celebrates the role of Out on the board the old shearer stands, Grasping his shears in his thin bony hands, sheep shearers in Australia’s wool industry. It is not known who ‘Blue-bellied joe’ is Fixed is his gaze on a blue-bellied joe, slang for an ewe with a wrote the lyrics to ‘Click Go the Shears’. The melody is from Glory if he gets her, won’t he make the ringer go. lightly fleeced belly. ‘Ring the Bell, Watchman!’, a song that was written at the end The ringer is the fastest Click go the shears boys, click, click, click, of the American Civil War in 1865. shearer in the shed, until he is beaten by Wide is his blow and his hands move quick, someone else. The ringer looks around and is beaten by a blow, How is it a symbol of Australia? A snagger is a shearer And he curses the old snagger with the blue-bellied joe. who accidently cuts the ‘Click Go the Shears’ is a symbol of the wool sheep while shearing. In the middle of the floor in his cane-bottomed chair, industry. Wool was Australia’s largest export from Symbol fact Is the boss of the board with his eyes everywhere, 1835 to 1976. The song is a record of the daily life In 1892, Jackie Howe used Notes well each fleece as it comes to the screen, blade shears to shear 321 Paying strict attention if it’s taken off clean … The manager is making sure that there is no of shearers working in a busy woolshed. ‘Click Go sheep in 7 hours and 40 The tar-boy is there awaiting in demand, blood on the wool and the Shears’ uses slang to represent the uniquely minutes at Alice Downs that none of the fleece With his blackened tar-pot and his tarry hand, is wasted. Station, in Queensland. Australian way that shearers spoke in the 1800s. Sees one old sheep with a cut upon its back, Howe held the record of Tar is applied to a cut to stop the sheep from Here’s what he’s waiting for ’Tar here, Jack!’ Australia’s fastest shearer bleeding. Once a sheep is shorn, its wool is brought to the wool for 58 years. classing table, where its quality is assessed, as shown Shearing is all over and we’ve all got our cheques, in this photo taken around 1895. The shearers are Roll up your swag for we’re off on the tracks, packing up their belongings and moving The first pub we come to, it’s there we’ll have a spree, on to the next sheep And everyone that comes along, it’s ‘Come and drink with me’. station for work. Down by the bar, the old shearer stands, Grasping his glass in his thin bony hands, A keg is a sealed barrel in which beer is stored. Fixed is his gaze on a green-painted keg, This one has been Glory, he’ll get down on it, afore they stir a peg! painted green.

There we leave him standing shouting for all hands, In Australian slang, ‘shouting’ means Whilst all around him every shouter stands, paying for someone His eyes are on the cast which is now lowering fast, else’s meal or drink. He works hard, he drinks hard, and goes to hell at last …

See the full lyrics at: http://folkstream.com/022.html

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‘Tie Me Kangaroo ‘Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport’

A stockman is the There’s an old Australian stockman, lying, dying. person who looks after Down, Sport’ the animals at a sheep He gets himself up on one elbow, or cattle station. And he turns to his mates, who are gathered round, And he says: Rolf Harris wrote ‘Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport’ in 1957. It is the story of a stockman on his deathbed, who tells his Watch me wallabies feed, mate, Watch me wallabies feed. friends what to do with his animals when he dies. The funny, Wallabies are actually They’re a dangerous breed, mate, not dangerous rhyming lyrics to ‘Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport’ have been creatures. They are So watch me wallabies feed. herbivores, which popular with Australian children for more than 50 years. means they eat only All together now! plants. Tie me kangaroo down, sport, ‘Sport’ means ‘mate’ or How is it a symbol of Australia? Tie me kangaroo down. ‘friend’. ‘Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport’ is a Tie me kangaroo down, sport, Tie me kangaroo down … light-hearted symbol of life in the Wobble board Australian outback. The song was In 1959, Rolf Harris created his own Take me koala back, Jack, Take me koala back. a hit around the world and came musical instrument – the wobble board. It He lives somewhere out on the track, Mac, The koala lives on a is a thin, wooden board, held at both ends to represent Australian humour. So take me koala back. bush track, somewhere and flicked outwards. The wobble board is in the cattle station. ‘Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport’ lists a symbol of unique Australian music. All together now! many Australian animals and also Tie me kangaroo down, sport, includes Australian slang. Tie me kangaroo down. Tie me kangaroo down, sport, Kangaroos move by Tie me kangaroo down. jumping up to nine The platypus was Mind me platypus duck, Bill, metres along the known as the ‘duckbill’ ground, which to early British Mind me platypus duck. is why the settlers. They thought Don’t let him go running amok, Bill, ‘Running amok’ means its snout looked like a ‘out of control’. lyrics jokingly duck’s bill. Mind me platypus duck … suggest tying one down.

See the full lyrics at: http://alldownunder.com/oz-u/songs/ tie-me-kangaroo-down-11.htm

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‘Home Among the ‘Home Among the Gum Trees’

I’ve been around the world Gum Trees’ A couple of times or maybe more I’ve seen the sights, I’ve had delights On every foreign shore Musicians Wally Johnson and Bob Brown wrote ‘Home Among But when my mates all ask me the Gum Trees’ in 1975 to make fun of the relaxed Australian The place that I adore lifestyle. Today, this folk song is popular at traditional bush In the suburbs and I tell them right away There are more than country towns, many 700 species of gum, or eucalypt, trees in dances and school concerts. Australians grow Give me a home among the gum trees fruit trees in their Australia. backyards. With lots of plum trees Sheep are a symbol How is it a symbol of Australia? A sheep or two, a k-kangaroo of Australia’s wool An icon of the A clothesline out the back industry. ‘Home Among the Gum Trees’ is a symbol of life in the Australian Australian backyard is the Hills Rotary Hoist Verandah out the front A verandah, or porch, countryside. It has lyrics that feature icons of the Australian bush, such clothesline, which was And an old rocking chair is a covered area along invented by Lance Hill the front of a house. in 1945. as gum trees, kangaroos and possums. It is a popular Australian folk song, You can see me in the kitchen often performed by bush bands and country music artists. Cooking up a roast Vegemite is an icon Or Vegemite on toast of Australian food. Up ‘Home Among the Gum Trees’ features Just you and me, a cup of tea many icons of life in the Australian bush, to 22 million jars of Larrikin humour Vegemite are sold each And later on, we’ll settle down including gum trees and a verandah on year. a bush hut. ‘Home Among the Gum Trees’ uses And go out on the porch Australian larrikin humour. This means it is And watch the possums play cheeky or rebellious. It was originally written Give me a home among the gum trees to make fun of Australian stereotypes. With lots of plum trees A sheep or two, a k-kangaroo A clothesline out the back Verandah out the front And an old rocking chair … The opal-mining Some people like their houses town of Coober Pedy, With fences all around in South Australia, is famous for its Rabbits were Others live in mansions underground houses, introduced to Australia And some beneath the ground which were built as Gum tree in 1859 by Thomas shelters from the Austin, a farmer. He But me I like the bush you know town’s scorching heat. released 24 rabbits Verandah for hunting on his With rabbits running round Victorian property. See the full lyrics at: Now, around 300 And a pumpkin vine out the back … million rabbits are http://www.johnwilliamson.com. found across Australia. au/music/home_among_the_ gumtrees.html

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‘My Island Home’ ‘My Island Home’

‘My Island Home’ was written by Warumpi Band guitarist Neil Murray was Six years I’ve been in the desert This is similar to an old living in a desert And every night, I dream of the sea saying, ‘Home is where and songwriter Neil Murray in 1987. It is a rock song about community, west of the heart is’. Murray Alice Springs, in the They say home is where you find it was feeling unhappy at Indigenous Australians from the northern coast. ‘My Island Northern Territory. He Will this place ever satisfy me? being away from Elcho had spent some time Island. Home’ was re-recorded in 1995 by Christine Anu, who is of with Warumpi Band’s late singer George For I come from the saltwater people Saltwater people Torres Strait Islander descent. Burarrwanga at his We’ve always lived by the sea belong to the sea home on Elcho Island, country. These and he missed being Now I’m out here west of Alice Springs Indigenous Australian there. communities have lived How is it a symbol of Australia? With a wife and a family along the coasts and Symbol fact on the small islands of ‘My Island Home’ is a symbol of Indigenous The song was written And my island home northern Australia for ‘My Island Home’ became a many years. about the Indigenous My island home Australians living by the sea. It is a song popular symbol of Australia Australian settlement of Galiwin’ku on Elcho My island home This refers to a longing about Elcho Island, in Arnhem Land, in the when Christine Anu sang it Island. for home and wanting Is waiting for me Northern Territory. Elcho Island was the at the closing ceremony of to be near the sea. the 2000 Olympic Games in home of Warumpi Band’s late singer In the evening the dry wind blows Sydney, New South Wales. From the hills George Burarrwanga. Coastal Indigenous Australians traditionally And across the plain Torres Strait Islanders travel in canoes made I close my eyes and I’m standing traditionally travelled from hollowed tree to neighbouring islands trunks. In a boat to trade. Their boats On the sea again would be packed with shell jewellery, Coastal Indigenous And I’m holding a long turtle spear bananas, sweet Australians have used And I feel unclothed now potatoes and roasted, spears with removable dried turtle fat. heads to hunt turtles To where it must be and other marine animals for thousands My island home, is waiting for me of years. Now, there are rules against For I come from the saltwater people spearfishing to help ‘My Island Home’ is protect marine animals. We’ve always lived by the sea about Elcho Island, Now I’m out here west of Alice Springs which is an island With a wife and a family surrounded by the Arafura Sea. And my island home My island home My island home Is waiting for me

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Try this!

Symbols help us to remember things about our history. They also tell us what our culture values. Symbols of Australia exist all around us and are a part of our daily lives. Do you know? Find out more These questions will help you to think ✶✶ http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/ about some of the songs in this book. symbols/anthem.cfm You can find the answers by turning to This page from an Australian the page indicated. government website explains the ✶✶ What name did Peter Dodds McCormick symbolism and history of our national write ‘Advance Australia Fair’ under? anthem, ‘Advance Australia Fair’. (PAGE 7) ✶ ✶✶ Which national song did Qantas use ✶ http://www.cultureandrecreation. gov.au/articles/music/ in an advertisement? (PAGE 10) ✶✶ Which important event did Paul Kelly This page from an Australian and Kev Carmody write about in government website has a section ‘From Little Things Big Things Grow’? on culture that explains the history (PAGE 14) of many different styles of ✶✶ In ‘Waltzing Matilda’, how did the Australian music. swagman escape the troopers? (PAGE 18) ✶✶ http://folkstream.com/songs.html ✶✶ How many Australian animals are named in ‘Tie Me Kangaroo Down, This is a website with a collection of Australian folk songs. It provides lyrics Sport’? (PAGE 25) and musical notes. ✶✶ http://aboriginalart.com.au/ Think about it didgeridoo/dig_intro.html Look around you at home, at school and The website of the Aboriginal Australia in your local community. Art and Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, ✶ ✶ What symbols can you see? provides an introduction to traditional ✶ ✶ How do these symbols represent Indigenous Australian music and Australia and its people? dance. ✶✶ What other symbols do Australians use to show who they are?

Glossary ballads Indigenous simple, moving songs, often romantic naturally existing in an area or region citizenship rather than coming from somewhere else the state of belonging to a country and Indigenous Australians having rights the first peoples of Australia, comprising colony Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait a place ruled or governed by another Islanders country land rights commemorative rights of Indigenous Australians to take celebrating a historical event or famous possession of their traditional lands person multicultural culture many cultures living together the ways of living that a group of people natural resources have developed over time the naturally occurring useful wealth of export a region or country, such as land, forests a product sold to other countries and water Federation patriotism when the six British colonies of New loving and being proud of one’s country South Wales, Queensland, South slang Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western a casual language that may be unique to Australia became states and formed the certain groups of people or countries Commonwealth of Australia on 1 January Southern Hemisphere 1901 the half of Earth that is between the gold rush equator and the South Pole the period of time beginning in 1851, stereotypes when thousands of people arrived in fixed ideas about something or someone Australia in search of gold that may not be true icons Stolen Generations objects, places, stories and organisations Indigenous Australian children who were that are special to people forcibly removed from their families by the government and other authorities

Index A H P ‘Advance Australia Fair’ 5, 6, Harris, Rolf 24 Paterson, A. B. ‘Banjo’ 13, 7, 8–9, 30 ‘Home Among the Gum 18 Allen, Peter 10, 11 Trees’ 26–27 Anu, Christine 28 S I shearing 22, 23 B ‘I Am Australian’ 12–13 stockmen 14, 15, 24, 25 ballads 6, 18 icons 4, 26, 27 Stolen Generations 14 ‘Botany Bay’ 20–21 Indigenous Australians 13, swagmen 18, 19, 30 Brown, Bob 26 14, 15, 28, 29, 30 bushrangers 16, 17 ‘I Still Call Australia Home’ T 10–11 ‘Tie Me Kangaroo Down, C ‘I’ve Been Everywhere’ 7 Sport’ 24–25, 30 Carmody, Kev 14, 30 Torres Strait Islands 10, 28, ‘Click Go the Shears’ 22–23 J 29 colonies 9, 17, 19, 20, 21 Johnson, Wally 26 W D K ‘Waltzing Matilda’ 13, Doolan, Jack 16, 17 Kelly, Paul 14, 30 18–19, 30 Wave Hill Walkout 14, 15 E L ‘Wild Colonial Boy’ 16–17 environment 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, land rights 14, 15 Woodley, Bruce 12 12 Lingiari, Vincent 14, 15 F M Federation 8, 9 Macpherson, Christina 18 folk songs 4, 6, 16, 18, 20, McCormick, Peter Dodds 7, 22, 26, 30 8, 30 ‘From Little Things Big multicultural 12, 13 Things Grow’ 14–15, 30 Murray, Neil 28 ‘My Island Home’ 28–29 G ‘God Save the Queen’ 5, 9 N national anthem 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 30 Newton, Dobe 12