Awake! Awake, Australia!

Peter Dodds McCormick wrote another patriotic song (now forgotten), "Awake! Awake, Australia!", which was apparently published after "Advance Australia Fair".

The sheet music for "Awake! Awake, Australia!" which I found at the State Library of Victoria is undated, but is headed:

NEW SONG BY SAME COMPOSER OF ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR

Sung with great success at all Patriotic Celebrations

It's interesting to note that:

  • the first three bars of Awake! Awake, Australia! are almost identical to the first three bars of Advance Australia Fair;
  • the words of Awake! Awake, Australia! can be sung to the tune of Advance Australia Fair, and vice versa (!)

From a 21st century perspective, the sycophantic and forelock-tugging attitude of the sentiments expressed in the lyrics towards the Empire and Britain seems quaint.

On this page you may

MIDI

Click here to listen to a simple midi file of the melody to Awake! Awake, Australia!
SCORE

LYRICS Awake! Awake, Australia!
Awake from peaceful ease!
The nations great are calling thee,
From distant lands and seas.
Thy dormant days are ended, thy hours of rest are run;
Now rouse thee, for a nation's work,
and keep the Empire won!
Beneath thy bright blue skies,
Australia Fair, arise!

"Awake! Awake, Australia!"
Old Father Nepture cries,
"My children have to Manhood grown,
beneath the southern skies;
My northern sons have led you,
brave, darling me of old.
Now southern seas, bring forth your men
of worth and courage bold!"
Beneath thy bright blue skies,
Australia Fair, arise!

Awake! Awake, Australia!
Old Britain's bracing cheer
Is borne across the waters far,
and all her children hear.
The echoes are reply-ing
from climes o'er all the world
Australia fair must lead the van,
with banner bright unfurled!
Beneath thy bright blue skies,
Australia Fair, arise!