Pissing Off The Natives.
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Some of you will know that Australia's National Anthem is Advance Australia Fair. It's pretty mediocre and some of the lyrics are a bit, well, dumb. Take the line:

"Our Land Is Girt By Sea"

Of course it is mate. That's what land is. It's not sea. All land is "girt by sea".  (hat-tip to Al Murray)

Anyway. I've just discovered something that most Australians don't know. There's actually 5 verses to Advance Australia Fair and not 2 as most Ozzies think. The verses 2, 4 and 5 are rarely sung because they bang on about how wonderful Britain is and how Australia is essentially British. No wonder they keep those verses quiet. Can't wait to to trot this out down the pub next time I called a Pommie bastard.

Missing verses in italics.


Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We've golden soil and wealth for toil,
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in Nature's gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history's page, let every stage
Advance Australia fair!
In joyful strains then let us sing,
"Advance Australia fair!"

When gallant Cook from Albion sail'd,
To trace wide oceans o'er,
True British courage bore him on,
Till 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,
"Brittannia rules the wave!"
In joyful strains then let us sing
"Advance Australia fair!"

Beneath our radiant southern Cross,
We'll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To advance Australia fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing
"Advance Australia fair!"

While other nations of the globe
Behold us from afar,
We'll rise 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 then let us sing
"Advance Australia fair!"

Shou'd 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;
Brittannia then shall surely know,
Beyond wide ocean's roll,
Her sons in fair Australia's land
Still keep a British soul.
In joyful strains the let us sing
"Advance Australia fair!"

Cheers