A comparison of the Australian and New Zealand National Anthems
Australia’s National Anthem – Advance Australia Fair
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RYa5gCNymg
New Zealand’s National Anthem – God defend New Zealand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6qmdqvItkM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhCgcZ0efAA
Kiwis leave Australian national anthem dazed and bruised
The Australian – Jack the Insider – 26 April 2019
It became clear yesterday at ANZAC ceremonies and sporting events around the country. In terms of a rousing, patriotic paean, New Zealand’s God Defend New Zealand leaves Advance Australia Fair dazed and bruised on the highway.
Once all the official ANZAC functions were over and the last sporting match was underway, I put the question to social media and the response was overwhelming.
Advance Australia Fair was derided and mocked while the New Zealand anthem was extolled.
God Defend New Zealand did have some critics among New Zealanders, many of whom disliked the invocation of a supernatural being as their nation’s protector. I replied with the obvious point that no one else would defend New Zealand, especially since the Kiwis snubbed the Americans and the ANZUS Treaty in 1986.
These odd criticisms aside, New Zealanders love their national anthem while we feel ambivalent about our own.
We have been flogged by New Zealand routinely in sport and now in naked patriotism. This cannot stand.
Advance Australia Fair was composed by, Peter Dodds McCormick – a Christian
https://atributetoaustralianchristians.wordpress.com/2010/10/23/peter-dodds-mccormick/
– and of course Australia’s first National Anthem – God save our Queen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0rn2ux0vz8
_______
Leave a Reply, comments are welcome.
A tribute to influential Australian Christians 