IMO, Advance Australia is a clumsy song that really doesn't represent Australia.
For a start, it is culturally incorrect. It starts with the words,
"for we are young and free..."
"We" are not young, the country is old, really old. And people have been here for 40,000+ years. The oldest surviving culture on Earth.
So straight up, from the get go, the lyrics are creating a myth.
Plus not all of us are free. For example, the lack of access to health, education etc in some rural and outback communities is appalling, this is an inequity that robs fellow Australians of basic freedoms.
Sounds all very nice to rejoice and say we are young and free... but it simply isn't true.
Sort of like the myth that Captain James Cook discovered Australia, makes some people feel secure but it's a lie. Not even Cook would make such a claim.
Why do we have to mention one culture in our anthem over all the others?
You're right, why should the British culture be mentioned in the national anthem.
From the original lyrics in Advance Australia...
When gallant Cook from Albion sailed,
To trace wide oceans o'er,
True British courage bore him on,
Til 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"
"Britannia rules the wave."
In joyful strains then let us sing
Advance Australia fair.
While other nations of the globe
Behold us from afar,
We'll raise 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, etc
Should 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;
Britannia then shall surely know,
Beyond wide oceans roll
Her sons in fair Australia's land
Still keep a British soul.
In joyful strains, etc
Yes, I know all those verses are conveniently omitted but it shows that this anthem was never meant to be about Australians. It was about Rule Britannia and how Australia was part of the mother country. It was also a call to arms and would have been well suited amongst your modern white supremacists.
And why has it taken almost half a century for this issue to arise?
We must mix in different circles.
Don't know if you've noticed, but when Australians are proud of being Australian and feel the urge to spontaneously break into song, they will often choose
Waltzing Matilda or that Seekers song,
I am Australian.
At least
Waltzing Matilda has a rebellious edge to it, and it did fair well in the 1970s plebiscite.
I am Australian is more inclusive, and it was the song of choice in the Australian Parliament after the gay marriage vote.
