Not satisfied with their unending campaigns to change our form of government and our flag, the Australian republicans have decided to attack our national Anthem. The following monstrosity was composed by "Renowned Australian composer" Ross Edwards (with lyrics by author, David Malouf) as a response to what he called the "truly appalling" nature of Advance Australia Fair.
The Promised Land
Land of promise, promised land.
Still to be entered, still to be found, but close, mysterious.
The rainbow serpent seeking its sky-body in this covenant,
this arc from earth to earth, these towers, this water city,
these coral reefs, unit on living unit, built of breath.
Commonwealth. Commonwealth.
All that holds us, all that we hold, this common story built of breath.
Commonwealth. Commonwealth.
All that holds us, keeps us whole.
Land of promise.
Close. Mysterious. Promised land.
Still to be entered, still to be found.
My response to this risible doggrel? Stick to writing books, Mr Malouf! and, Who the blazes is Ross Edwards? The Australian republicans have managed to surpass even their low standards with this, beating hands down their failed "Mate for the Head of State" (renamed by some monarchists as, Clown for the Australian Crown) campaign. Do they truly imagine this will impress anyone? Can you imagine any athlete proudly singing about "the rainbow serpent seeking its sky-body in this covenant" or "unit on living unit" or "common story built of breath"? This anthem is objectionable not just on Patriotic grounds but simply on the grounds of Taste.
The fact that republicans are attacking an Anthem that was only officially adopted in 1984, as a result of ongoing republican pressure - shows what the future will be like in a People's Republic of Australia. Every twenty years it will be - let's rewrite our Constitution, let's redraw our Flag, let's rewrite our Anthem - it will never end.
Personally I think we should return to our old National Anthem:
God Save the Queen.
God save our gracious Queen
long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious,
happy and glorious,
long to reign over us:
God save the Queen!
O Lord our God arise,
Strike down her enemies,
And make them fall:
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On thee our hopes we fix:
God save us all!
Thy choicest gifts in store
on her be pleased to pour;
long may she reign;
may she defend our laws,
and ever give us cause
to sing with heart and voice
"God save the Queen!"
God Save the Queen!
Mild Colonial Boy
1 comments:
Try singing it. To any tune. It's impossible as it's clumsy and has absolutely no flow.
I have to say that I am a Republican at heart but please don't associate me with this idea. I've got nothing to do with this one!
And if you want to know who Ross Edwards is, check this out: http://www.amcoz.com.au/composers/composer.asp?id=436
Post a Comment