I Am Australian
"I Am Australian" (or "We are Australian") is a popular Australian song written in 1987 by Bruce Woodley of The Seekers and Dobe Newton of The Bushwackers. Its lyrics are filled with many historic and cultural references, such as to the "digger", Albert Namatjira and Ned Kelly, among others. Its popularity has allowed it to join the ranks of other patriotic songs considered as alternatives to the Australian national anthem, "Advance Australia Fair". It is commonly taught in primary schools.[1]
There have over the years since the song's release been calls for it to become Australia's national anthem, notably in 2011 by former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett.[2]
Contents
Lyrics
- I came from the Dreamtime
- From the dusty red soil plains
- I am the ancient heart
- The keeper of the flames
- I stood upon the rocky shore
- I watched the tall ships come
- For forty thousand years I've been the first Australian
- I came upon the prison ships
- Bound down by iron chains
- I fought the land
- Endured the lash
- And waited for the rains
- I'm a settler
- I'm a farmers wife
- On a dry and barren run
- A convict then a free man
- I became Australian
- I'm a daughter of a digger
- Who sought the mother lode
- The girl became a women
- On the long and dusty road
- I'm a child of the depression
- I saw the good time come
- I'm a bushy, I'm a battler
- I am Australian
- We are one
- But we are many
- And from all the lands on earth we come
- We'll 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
- I am Albert Namatjira
- And I paint the ghostly gums
- I'm Clancy on his horse
- I'm Ned Kelly on the run
- I'm the one who waltzed matilda
- I am Australian
- I'm the hot wind from the desert
- I'm the black soil of the plain
- I'm the mountains and the valleys
- I'm the drought and flooding rains
- I am the rock
- I am the sky
- The rivers when they run
- The spirit of this great land
- I am Australian
- We are one
- But we are many
- And from all the lands on earth we come
- We'll share a dream
- And sing with one voice
- I am, you are, we are Australian
- We are one
- But we are many
- And from all the lands on earth we come
- We'll share a dream
- And sing with one voice
- I am, you are
- We are Australian
- I am, you are
- We are Australian
Festivities
"I Am Australian" is popular at celebrations such as Australia Day and New Year's Day, as it celebrates the diversity of Australian society – the lyrics to the chorus emphasise this: "We are one, but we are many, 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 Am Australian" is sometimes played at citizenship ceremonies, and is often sung by Australian fans at numerous sporting events. It was sung by The Seekers at the 1994 AFL Grand Final.[3]
Appeals
Salvation Army
In 1996 the Salvation Army used the song in TV advertisements for its Red Shield Appeal, raising funds to help people in need.
Telstra
In October 2003, in conjunction with the sponsorship of the 2003 Rugby World Cup, Australian telecommunications giant Telstra launched a new campaign centered on the song remixed and performed by Lo-Tel. It is often mistakenly credited to Rai Thistlethwayte, as the vocalists sound very similar. Telstra had bought the rights to the song a number of years before. The campaign was produced by advertising company Young and Rubicam.[4][5][6]
In aid of the Farmhand Foundation's Drought Relief Appeal, Telstra released a CD of the Lo-Tel remix that sold for $6. A total of $100,000 was raised from the profits ($4.05 per CD) generated from the sale of the CD. The actual published copy of the CD credits "Performed by: Rai Thistlewayte & other artists" and "Music re-arranged by: Rai Thistlewayte"
In 2008, Telstra used a different version of the song recorded by the Sydney band, Botanics, for advertising their mobile coverage of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Bushfire
In 2009 two additional verses were added to show remembrance during the official National Day of Mourning for the victims of the Black Saturday bushfires.[7] Woodley performed the song along with his daughter Clare and Kinglake fire survivors Merelyn and David Carter during the memorial service at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on 22 February.[8][9]
Cover versions
1997
"I Am Australian" | |
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Single by Judith Durham, Russell Hitchcock & Mandawuy Yunupingu | |
Released | 1997 |
Format | CD Single |
Label | EMI Australia |
"I Am Australian" was released in 1997 by trio Judith Durham (of The Seekers), Russell Hitchcock (from Air Supply) and Yothu Yindi's Mandawuy Yunupingu. EMI Australia released the single and it reached number 17 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart.[10]
Chart performance
Chart (1997) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian ARIA Singles Chart | 17 |
2014
"I Am Australian" | |||||
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Single by Dami Im, Jessica Mauboy, Justice Crew, Nathaniel Willemse, Samantha Jade and Taylor Henderson featuring John Foreman | |||||
Released | 24 January 2014 | ||||
Format | Digital download | ||||
Length | 3:36 | ||||
Label | Sony | ||||
Producer(s) | |||||
Dami Im singles chronology | |||||
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Jessica Mauboy singles chronology | |||||
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Justice Crew singles chronology | |||||
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Nathaniel Willemse singles chronology | |||||
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Samantha Jade singles chronology | |||||
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Taylor Henderson singles chronology | |||||
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"I Am Australian" was covered in 2014 by Dami Im, Jessica Mauboy, Justice Crew, Nathaniel Willemse, Samantha Jade and Taylor Henderson, with John Foreman on piano.[11] Sony Music Australia released their cover as a single on 24 January 2014, as part of Sydney's Australia Day celebrations.[11]
On recording the song, the artists' said: [12]
- Jessica Mauboy: “WOW…. what a song. What an honour. I love Australia Day and I am so thrilled to be a part of this recording. It was such an amazing experience recording the song I and cannot wait to sing it again live on beautiful Sydney Harbour.”
- Samantha Jade: “I just love this song. It really embodies the Australian spirit of inclusivity and it sends out a message that no matter where you were born or what colour your skin is, we all enjoy celebrating being Australian.”
- Justice Crew: “What an honour it is to be a part of this recording. We used to sing this song at school assembly and now to be a part of the special Sony Music recording with some of the best singers in the country is such a buzz.”
- Nathaniel: “Being born in South Africa and then moving to Australia at 6 years old, to now being a part of this very patriotic and special day is amazing. To be singing one of the most iconic songs of Australia and to be releasing it amongst other featured incredible artists is a privilege and an absolute honour and I am so grateful to be a part of it.”
- Dami Im: “What a unique and wonderful collaboration to be a part of. ‘I Am Australian’ is such a patriotic song that represents togetherness and the Australian spirit and what better way to celebrate this than through music.”
- Taylor Henderson: “It is such an amazing experience to work alongside the Sony family on such a special release. A year ago I was a proud Australian singing this song with my family and now to be a part of this official recording with my name alongside the other amazing talents on the record is such an honour. This song is so typically Australian and I am so proud to be a part of it.”
A live video is available for the Take 40! website site of the artists singing the song on floating stage in the middle of Sydney harbour[13]
Chart performance
Chart (2014) | Peak position |
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Australian ARIA Singles Chart | 51 [14] |
Other recorded versions
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References
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- ↑ http://www.bungareeps.vic.edu.au/uploads/1/0/3/0/10300962/i_am_australian.pdf
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- Pages with reference errors
- Use dmy dates from May 2011
- Use Australian English from May 2011
- All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English
- Pages using columns-list with unknown parameters
- Australian patriotic songs
- 1987 songs
- 1997 singles
- 2014 singles
- Songs written by Bruce Woodley
- Dami Im songs
- Jessica Mauboy songs
- Justice Crew songs
- Nathaniel Willemse songs
- Samantha Jade songs
- Taylor Henderson songs
- Sony Music Australia singles