Factsheets

Island of Oceans - a new anthem by John Williamson

Jul 02 06:04am

- Do you think we need a new flag? Tell us what you think of the suggested flag (left)?

And what about a new national anthem? Noted singer and republican John Williamson has a new song called 'Island of Oceans' he thinks would make a good substitute for Advance Australia Fair.

Our current anthem became the most popular anthem back in 1974 but only by a few hundred votes.

Who Advanced Australia?

A public opinion poll was held among a sample of 60,000 people in 1974 to choose between Waltzing Matilda, Advance Australia Fair and Song of Australia.
Advance Australia Fair won with 51.4% of the vote (a mragin of 840 votes).

Read the chorus, watch the performance (available after the show) and post your comments below on whether you think this song would make a change for the better...

ISLAND OF OCEANS --- by John Williamson

Chorus:

Island of Oceans

Red ochre, gold and blue.

You give my heart the power

To make my dreams come true

And I will bring you glory with everything I do

Australia

More info

JohnWilliamson.com.au

32 Comments Report Abuse

11. gregory1athome - Jul 02 09:22am

Advance Australia Fair, is the most ridiculous song ever used.
We should be singing the Seekers song "I am Australian", because it has a heart and soul, and a great chorus.

I like John Williamson's song, but it is not melodious enough to get everyone singing it with gusto.

12. healthymade - Jul 02 09:33am

Absolutely loved John Williamson's anthem! Perhaps a few words could be changed but I loved it and like Kochie said, I could definitely imagine singing it proudly at a tri-nations game! Love the flag too!

13. healthymade - Jul 02 09:34am

for those who don't like the idea of change, it be worth remembering not too long ago kids were singing God Save the Queen in schools. Times have changed drastically in Australia in the last 25 - 50 years and even more so recently, why not change the anthem also?

14. wiltontroop - Jul 02 09:44am

Great flag. Lousy song. Williamson should go back to teaching. And there's too much jingoism these days. We belong to the world. Let's have less nationalism. We should have got the message with the dreadful Lleyton Hewitt cheer squad!

15. nikki_blondeau - Jul 02 09:56am

I think that I Still Call Australian Home of We Are Australian should be our national anthems. I think John Williamson should stick to Waltzing Matilda at the Rugby.

16. nicholassmart - Jul 02 11:12am

Bloody awful. "Proud as a coolibah?" Seriously? There's nothing wrong with current anthem. It's one of the few in the world that isn't about war and killing, instead extolling our country and character. Advance Australia Fair forever!

17. nicholassmart - Jul 02 11:19am

And do we really need a Quantas ad for our flag instead of the one my uncle died under?

18. dudley8020 - Jul 02 11:24am

John Williamson, lives in the 1800's version of Australia and I find him talentless, his song is woeful.

The current anthem is strirring and well recognised. Bush tucker and kangaroos are part of our past but we live in the 21st Century and many Australians do not think of these things first.

19. arcticwolf069 - Jul 02 11:27am

anything has to be better than Advance Australia Fair

20. angelene666 - Jul 02 12:17pm

I believe that it is time for a change .. time for Australia to become a Republic. I would vote for the John Williamson flag - I think it's perfect. A new anthem - I think we need. I didn't hear the song this morning, but I really like the lyrics you have posted.

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