Peter Dawson (bass-baritone) - Song of Australia (Carleton & Linger) (1932)

Описание: 'Song of Australia' - or, more correctly, 'The Song of Australia' - was one of the candidates in the National Song Poll of 1977. The Poll was a plebiscite in which electors were asked to indicate their preferences as to which of four songs they would prefer to be played on 'occasions' other than regal or vice-regal occasions. 43% preferred 'Advance Australia Fair,' which ultimately became the non-royal national anthem in 1984.

Dating from 1859, the words of the song are something of a mixed bag, but I am moved every time I hear Carl Linger's magnificent tune.

Peter Dawson's recording of 'Song of Australia,' made at No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, on 24 February 1932, with male quartet and orchestra conducted by Lawrance Collingwood, is a model of what such things should be. I am grateful to Dawson for recording this enduring version of a song which - with appropriate words - could have done Australia proud as a national anthem.

I also pay tribute to Dawson's artistry in one small detail: the variations in stress that he puts on the individual syllables of 'Australia' when the word is repeated at the end of the chorus. The result is that it sounds slightly different each time he sings it. All Dawson does, of course, is to follow what is suggested by the musical line, but how many singers would have done it? As I have noted previously, he was certainly a worthy Australian!

There is a land where summer skies
are gleaming with a thousand eyes,
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 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!