# Australian Dopers - get your free copy of the national anthem **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 16, 2007, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australian-dopers-get-your-free-copy-of-the-national-anthem/392466 "2007-02-16T09:44:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2007, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australian-dopers-get-your-free-copy-of-the-national-anthem/392466/1 "2007-02-16T09:44:04Z")
I noted in [a thread in May last year](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=372250&highlight=advance+australia) that my choir had recorded a new version of the Australian national anthem, _Advance Australia Fair_. Well, apparently the recording has now been [officially released.](http://www.smh.com.au/news/arts/plea-for-peace-echoes-down-the-years/2007/02/15/1171405374334.html?page=2) > [@](#): > > The Federal Government has just released a CD and DVD package featuring four new versions of the anthem performed by the Australian Youth Orchestra, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, soloist Corporal Simone Dew and the Royal Australian Air Force Band. > > \ > > The audio-visual pack is available free through the Constituents Request Program, via electorate offices of senators or members of the House of Representatives. So you too can own a copy. After all - it’s your tax dollars at work! I’m sure that you’ll all be racing off to get one from your local member ASAP. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Caught\_Work](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/919ad9/32.png) [@Caught\_Work](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caught_Work)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2007, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australian-dopers-get-your-free-copy-of-the-national-anthem/392466/2 "2007-02-16T10:29:42Z")
Dude. if I could be arsed to get off my arse, I would so go and get a copy. So are you in the Royal Australian Air Force Band? I didn’t know they also did Happy Feet. ---
**Author:** ![hawthorne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2007, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australian-dopers-get-your-free-copy-of-the-national-anthem/392466/3 "2007-02-16T14:26:14Z")
Cool. I wish someone would record the version I always hear in my head: \*Girt girt girt girt girt girt girt-girt Girt girt girt girt girt girt \* ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2007, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australian-dopers-get-your-free-copy-of-the-national-anthem/392466/4 "2007-02-16T14:33:29Z")
What, no Julie Anthony? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2007, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australian-dopers-get-your-free-copy-of-the-national-anthem/392466/5 "2007-02-16T14:36:43Z")
I haven’t heard the new versions, but are they faster? I once heard some musician type saying that yes, the anthem is dreary and dirge-like, but much of that is due to the propensity of the average untrained singer (the sort of Joe Average who belts out the anthem when needed) to sing most tunes too slowly, and that while still not fantastic, it’s a much better melody sung faster. I’ve only heard it faster in my mind, but I can’t help thinking that is true. It’s almost jaunty sung at a fair clip. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2007, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australian-dopers-get-your-free-copy-of-the-national-anthem/392466/6 "2007-02-17T00:53:02Z")
[QUOTE=Caught@Work] So are you in the Royal Australian Air Force Band? I didn’t know they also did Happy Feet. [/QUOTE] No. The Sydney Philharmonia Choir. > [@TheLoadedDog](#): > > I haven’t heard the new versions, but are they faster? Yes, a bit faster than I have previously sung it. You’re right. It’s usually sung too slowly.