The Song of Australia
The winning lyrics were written by an English-born poet, Caroline Carleton, and the music chosen by the judges was composed by the German-born Carl Linger (1810-1862),[1] a prominent member of the Australian Forty-Eighters.
The Committee regret that their funds will not permit their distributing other prizes to various meritorious productions contributed, but in order to encourage native talent they intend publishing a careful selection from amongst them.
A TEN GUINEA PRIZE is offered by the Gawler Institute for the MUSIC to "The Song of Australia", by Mrs. C. J. Carleton, published in this day's paper, subject to the following conditions, viz.
Immediately upon receiving this report we telegraphed to the Secretary of the Gawler Institute to ascertain the name of the successful competitor, and we find from his reply that the composer who has thus distinguished himself is Mr. Carl Linger.This is the poem as published in The South Australian Register on 21 October 1859:[5] THE SONG OF AUSTRALIA by Mrs. C. J. CARLETON, West-terrace.
There is a land where summer skies Are gleaming with a thousand dyes, Blending in witching harmonies; And grassy knoll and forest height, Are flushing in the rosy light, And all above is azure bright — Australia!
There is a land where treasures shine Deep in the dark unfathom'd mine For worshippers at Mammon's shrine; Where gold lies hid, and rubies gleam, And fabled wealth no more doth seem The idle fancy of a dream — Australia!
There is a land where homesteads peep From sunny plain and woodland steep, And love and joy bright vigils keep; Where the glad voice of childish glee Is mingling with the melody Of nature's hidden minstrelsy — Australia!
There is a land where, floating free, From mountain-top to girdling sea, A proud flag waves exultingly; And FREEDOM'S sons the banner bear, No shackled slave can breathe the air, Fairest of Britain's daughters fair — Australia!
[7] Someone else complained that the poem could equally refer to, say, California,[8] while another commentator longed for a time when such a peaceful song accorded with international politics, and regretted that the contest was restricted to South Australians, that the prize was so paltry, and there was no mention of sheep.
[13] His notable performances included: In 1924, George Edwin Yates, the federal member for Adelaide, proposed in parliament that the song be adopted as the national anthem.
"Song of Australia" is featured in the TV series ANZAC Girls, episode 4, "Love", in which the Peter Dawson recording is played on a wind-up gramophone in several scenes, and sung in snatches by "Pat Dooley" (Brandon McClelland) while digging a latrine pit.
