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#53 LIVING IN THE LAND of AUSTRALIA

by Peter Kearney

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Scroll down to see FULL LYRICS / CD & MUSIC Information.

NOTES:
This song was inspired by a musical visit to the Sacred Heart Primary School in Cabramatta – an ethnically diverse school in western Sydney. I enjoyed singing with the children and glimpsed through them the Australia that is coming-to-be. I promised that I would write a special song for them.

This version here is a recording of me the Crossover group in a concert at St. John's Hall, Dapto, NSW. It became the opening track on our CD 'Live in the Land of Australia'.

There is another version in which I sing with a small choir of children on my 'All the World is Sacred' CD. More information below.

On YouTube there is also a video clip, where I visit the Sacred Heart School, Cabramatta a couple of years after the song was written and with the children sing their special song. The 'Living in the Land' clip starts at around 5.40 minutes in. The video was made by Catholic Communications for a 1991 broadcast on Channel 10 TV. I sing a few other songs and reflect on my work as a songwriter. Scroll down the the credits section to find a link to view this video.

lyrics

LIVING IN THE LAND OF AUSTRALIA
Living in the land that we all call home -
Living in the land of Australia.
In the great Great South Land 'neath a Cross of stars -
Listen to the song of Australia.

CHORUS: Living in the land that we all call home -
Living in the land of Australia.
In the Great South Land 'neath a Cross of stars -
Listen to the song of Australia.
Hear the drone of the didgeridoo
With the clap-sticks rhythms and flutes and fiddles
and kids all clapping their hands **
and the bells all ringing and the magpies singing
the endless song of this Land.

1. Is your skin dark brown or freckled and pale?
Living in the land of Australia.
Are you large or small like the Willy Wagtail?
Listen to the song of Australia.
Did you come here early or late?
Do you live in the Mallee or a snowfield chalet
Or a farm on the top of a hill
Where the wombat listens as the wind just whistles
The endless song of this land?

CHORUS: Living in the land that we all call home -
Living in the land of Australia.
Where the parakeet squawks in the tall gum tree -
Listen to the song of Australia.
Hear the drone of the didgeridoo
With the clap-sticks rhythms and flutes and fiddles
and kids all clapping their hands **
and the bells all ringing and the magpies singing
the endless song of this Land. It's Australia.
Ooh ooh ooh ooh.. living in the land of Australia.
Ooh ooh ooh ooh.. listen to the song of Australia.

2. Do you live in house on a new estate?
Living in the land of Australia.
Or the seventeenth floor, no yard, no gate?
Listen to the song of Australia.
Or do you live in a van by the sea
Where the waves keep crashing
And the thongs flip-flapping?
Or down on the banks of a creek?
Be it Mutmutbilly or Turn Back Jimmy
You're part of the song of this Land.
So let's sing it. CHORUS

CHORUS: Living in the land that we all call home -
Living in the land of Australia.
In the Great South Land 'neath a Cross of stars -
Listen to the song of Australia.
Hear the drone of the didgeridoo
With the clap-sticks rhythms and flutes and fiddles
and kids all clapping their hands **
and the bells all ringing and the magpies singing
the endless song of this Land. It's Australia.
Ooh ooh ooh ooh.. living in the land of Australia.
Ooh ooh ooh ooh.. listen to the song of Australia.
Ooh ooh ooh ooh.. listen to the song of Australia.

Words and music by Peter Kearney

************

credits

released October 9, 2020
RELATED RESOURCES
1. 'Living in the Land of Australia' is one of seventeen tracks on the CD LIVE ... IN THE LAND OF AUSTRALIA'. Enquiries welcome.

2. Another version of the song (singing with children) is included on my 'ALL THE WORLD IS SACRED' CD. Available here: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/356138

3. There is also an 'All the World is Sacred' CD-ROM that contains PDF Music (melodies, chords, lyrics, background notes) for all songs in the 'All the World is Sacred' album. The CD-Rom is available here: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/553820

4. VIDEO: Here is a link for the video, 'The Story We Share': youtu.be/rA_drlXh_UM
In this video I sing 'Living in the Land of Australia' and several other songs.

THE RECORDING HEARD IN THIS SONG-POST:
PETER KEARNEY (vocals, guitar)
with the group CROSSOVER:
HELEN ARCHER (vocals)
MAX BURGESS (electric double bass).
LINDSAY MARTIN (mandolin)
CLAIRE PARKHILL (vocals)
RECORDED in concert at St. John's Hall, Dapto. Nov 22, 1990.
KENNY MILLER (recording engineer).
Mixed at Abergeldio Studio, Mittagong.

COPYRIGHT © 1990 Peter Kearney.
This song is registered with One License, APRA and AMCOS.
Church and school licences through 'One License'.
E: info@onelicense.net

TO SEE ALL SONGS posted so far: peterkearney.bandcamp.com

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Peter Kearney Mittagong, Australia

Peter Kearney is an Australian songwriter and singer. His early folk-hymns 'Fill My House' & 'The Beatitudes' are internationally known. He has written many other songs of justice and peace, songs for children, and a musical-narrative on St. Francis of Assisi. His published recordings include 153 original songs.

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