Song of Australia
The Song of Australia was texted by the British poet Caroline J. Carleton in 1859 for a contest that was advertised by the Gawler Institute to its second anniversary. The music of this song was by Carl Linger, a German composer.
History
Were submitted in this competition 96 songs, has won the by Caroline Charleton ( 1820-1874 ) lyrics written and composed by Linger fünfstrophige song, which was doped with a price of 10 Ginueas. Charleton reached South Australia in 1839 and they lived in Adelaide and later in Kapunda. Born in Berlin musicologist Carl Linger (1810-1862), who had studied at the Musikhochschule Berlin, came in 1849 to South Australia. Linger settled in Gawler and went to Adelaide, where he had musical success later.
The song of Australia impressed Charles Cameron Kingston, the Premier of South Australia, so much that he ordered that this song had to be taught to students in public schools. The song was never the national anthem, instead, the Commonwealth Government of Australia Advance Australia Fair elected to the National song that was composed in Sydney in 1878.
Song of Australia was popularized in the 20th century by the baritone Peter Dawson.
Selection
Song of Australia was one of four songs that were chosen for national anthem in 1977. Although this song received the fewest votes in 1977, but remains the most recognized song in South Australia.
The four songs that were proposed in 1977, were: Advance Australia Fair ( 1st place with 40.35% ), Waltzing Matilda ( 30.14% ), God Save the Queen ( 18.78 %) and Song of Australia ( 9.65% ).
Lyrics
THE SONG OF AUSTRALIA There is a country where summer skies Are gleaming with a thousand dyes, Blending in witching harmonies, in harmonies; And grassy knoll, and forest height, Are flushing in the rosy light, And all above in azure bright - Australia! There is a country where honey flows, Where laughing corn luxuriant grows, Land of the myrtle and the rose, On hill and plain clust'ring the vine, Is gushing out with purple wine, And cups are quaffed to thee and thine - Australia! There is a country where treasures shine Deep in the dark unfathomed mine, For worshipers at Mammon 's shrine, Where gold lies hid, and rubies gleam, And fabled wealth no more doth SEEM The idle fancy of a dream - Australia! There is a country where homesteads peep From sunny plain and woodland steep, And love and joy bright vigils keep, Where the glad voice of childish glee Is mingling with the melody For nature's hidden minstrelsy - Australia! There is a country where, floating free, From mountain top to girdling sea, A proud flag waves exultingly, And freedom 's sons the banner bear, No shackled slave can breathe the air, Fairest of Britain 's daughters fair Australia!