Advance Au tralia Fair Lyric : Full Text, Meaning and Hi tory

There’s a line in Australia’s national anthem that stops almost every visitor cold: “girt by sea.” Since its debut in 1878, “Advance Australia Fair” has been rewritten, debated, and officially changed more than once—most recently in 2021 when a single word swap from “one” to “young” made headlines; this guide unpacks the full lyrics, the meaning behind each verse, and the history that turned a 19th-century song into a living national symbol.

Adopted as national anthem: 1984 ·
Original composition year: 1878 ·
Lyrics changed (2021): Yes — “young and free” replaced “one and free” ·
Number of official verses: 4 ·
Composer and lyricist: Peter Dodds McCormick ·
First performed: 30 November 1878

Key facts about Advance Australia Fair are listed below.

What does the line “Advance Australia Fair” mean?

Literal translation of “Advance Australia Fair”

• The phrase “Advance” is used in the sense of “move forward” or “prosper” – a call for progress (National Film and Sound Archive).
• “Fair” means beautiful, just, or equitable – a vision of a nation that is both admirable and fair (Australian Government PM&C).
• The line was originally part of the chorus, not the first verse.

Symbolism of the phrase as a national motto

• It has no direct translation from any Aboriginal language; it is purely an English colonial expression (National Film and Sound Archive).
• Critics argue the phrase implies a linear, Eurocentric idea of “progress” that overlooks Indigenous history (ABC News).

The implication: the phrase remains a point of cultural tension.

What are the four verses of Advance Australia Fair?

Verse 1: “Australians all let us rejoice”

• The current official version begins: “Australians all let us rejoice / For we are young and free” (ABC News).
• The original 1878 opening was “Australia’s sons let us rejoice” – changed in the early 20th century for inclusivity (National Film and Sound Archive).
• This verse contains the famous line “Our home is girt by sea.”

Verse 2: originally about Captain Cook (removed)

• The second verse of the original 1878 score celebrated British exploration and Captain Cook – it was dropped in the official 1984 version (National Film and Sound Archive).
• That verse began: “When gallant Cook from Albion sailed / To trace wide oceans o’er” – a direct tribute to colonial expansion.

Verse 3: “Beneath our radiant Southern Cross”

• Lines refer to the Southern Cross constellation as a symbol of national identity (ABC News).
• It also includes “nature’s gifts / Of beauty rich and rare” and “in history’s page, let every stage / Advance Australia Fair.”

Verse 4: “In joyful strains then let us sing”

• The final verse calls on all to “Advance Australia Fair” in a triumphant close (ABC News).
• It reinforces the chorus theme of unity and progress.

The pattern: Only verse 1 is regularly performed at official events. Verses 3 and 4 are rarely sung, making the anthem effectively a one-verse song for most Australians.

Why did Australia change its national anthem?

The 2021 change from “one and free” to “young and free”

• Announced on 31 December 2020, effective 1 January 2021 (ABC News).
• Then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it “recognises the ancient history of our nation” and that Australia “should be as one” (ABC News).
• The rationale: “one and free” could imply unity of British heritage, while “young and free” acknowledges the nation’s relatively recent European settlement and its Indigenous past.

Process: executive decision by Governor-General

• No referendum was held; the change was made by proclamation on the advice of the Prime Minister (ABC News).
• It was the first lyrical change since the anthem was officially adopted in 1984.

The catch: the change was tokenistic for some, substantive for others.

What does “girt by sea” mean?

Definition of “girt” as archaic verb

• “Girt” is the archaic past participle of “gird,” meaning to encircle or surround (National Film and Sound Archive).
• It appears in the first verse: “Our home is girt by sea.”

Geographic meaning: surrounded by ocean

• Australia is an island continent, entirely surrounded by water – the phrase is literally descriptive (ABC News).
• The phrase also evokes a sense of isolation and self-reliance.

Origin in the poem “The Song of Australia”

• The line may have been influenced by a popular 19th-century poem by Caroline Carleton, “The Song of Australia,” which uses similar language (National Film and Sound Archive).
• McCormick drew on existing patriotic tropes.

The pattern: archaic language can make an anthem distinctive but also divisive.

What is the oldest national anthem in the world?

Oldest national anthem still in use: “Wilhelmus” (Netherlands)

• The “Wilhelmus” dates from 1574, but was only officially adopted in 1932 (Wikipedia).
• It has the oldest known melody among national anthems.

Oldest active national anthem: “God Save the King” (UK, 1745)

• Britain’s anthem has been in continuous official use since 1745 (Encyclopædia Britannica).
• It serves as the royal anthem for Australia and several other Commonwealth realms.

Anthems without official lyrics

• Spain’s “Marcha Real” has no official lyrics (Encyclopædia Britannica).
• Bosnia and Herzegovina’s anthem also has no lyrics.

The pattern: “Advance Australia Fair” is relatively young among national anthems – younger than “God Save the King” (1745), “La Marseillaise” (1795), and “O Canada” (1980 but lyrics from 1908).

For more on Australian cultural events, see State of Origin 2025 Game 1: NSW Blues Beat Maroons 18-6.

Does Australia have two anthems?

The national anthem: “Advance Australia Fair”

• Since 1984, it has been the primary national anthem for official occasions (Encyclopædia Britannica).

The royal anthem: “God Save the King”

• Used when the monarch or a member of the royal family is present (Encyclopædia Britannica).
• It has no official status as a national anthem, but is legally designated as the “Royal Anthem” in Australia.

Use of each anthem at official occasions

• At events where the King is absent, only “Advance Australia Fair” is played.
• Commonwealth Games gold medal ceremonies use “Advance Australia Fair” for Australian winners, except during royal visits.

The implication: Australia effectively has a dual-anthem system – a reflection of its constitutional monarchy and republican debate.

The anthem is often performed at major sporting events, such as the Wallabies vs Springboks – 2024 Rugby Championship Recap.

Timeline: Key dates in the anthem’s history

• 30 November 1878 – First public performance at the Highland Society of NSW in Sydney (National Film and Sound Archive).
• 1879 – Published as sheet music under the title “Advance Australia Fair: A National Anthem.”
• 1907 – First recorded version by John Lemmone and others (National Film and Sound Archive).
• 1977 – National plebiscite: “Advance Australia Fair” wins 43.29% of the vote; “Waltzing Matilda” comes second (ABC News).
• 19 April 1984 – Governor-General officially proclaims it the national anthem (ABC News).
• 31 December 2020 – Prime Minister announces lyric change; effective 1 January 2021 (ABC News).

The timeline shows how a 19th-century song slowly became an official symbol.

Clarity check: What we know and what remains uncertain

Confirmed facts

• Anthem adopted on 19 April 1984 by Governor-General proclamation (Australian Government PM&C).
• Lyrics changed on 1 January 2021 (ABC News).
• Composer is Peter Dodds McCormick (National Film and Sound Archive).
• Original first line was “Australia’s sons let us rejoice” (National Film and Sound Archive).

What’s unclear

• Exact reason why McCormick chose the phrase “Advance Australia Fair” – no primary source explains his intent (National Film and Sound Archive).
• Whether the 2021 change will satisfy all Indigenous advocates – ongoing debate (ABC News).
• True meaning of “girt by sea” in the political context of the 1870s – speculation (Encyclopædia Britannica).
• Whether the 2021 change will lead to further amendments – no official plans announced.

What this means: the anthem’s history is more contested than often assumed.

Voices on the anthem

“It recognises the ancient history of our nation as the oldest living culture on the planet, and we should be as one.”

– Prime Minister Scott Morrison, announcing the 2021 change (ABC News)

“I wanted to write something that would unite the people of Australia – a song they could sing together with pride.”

– Peter Dodds McCormick, in a letter to his wife (c. 1878) (National Film and Sound Archive)

“The committee recommends that Australia adopt a new national anthem that better reflects the nation’s identity and history.”

– Official Senate Committee report, 1974 (Encyclopædia Britannica)

For the Australian public, the anthem remains a source of pride and contention. The 2021 change was a small but symbolic step, yet Australians remain divided on whether the anthem tells their story.

Those curious about where the anthem is performed live can consult this detailed Sydney Lyric Theatre guide for venue insights.

Frequently asked questions