I Am Australian
The Seekers Lyrics


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I came from the dream-time
From the dusty red-soil plains
I am the ancient heart
The keeper of the flame
I stood upon the rocky shores
I watched the tall ships come
For forty thousand years I've been
The first Australian

I came upon the prison ship
Bowed down by iron chains
I fought the land, endured the lash
And waited for the rains
I'm a settler, I'm a farmer's wife
On a dry and barren run
A convict, then a free man
I became Australian

I'm the daughter of a digger
Who sought the mother lode
The girl became a woman
On the long and dusty road
I'm a child of the Depression
I saw the good times come
I'm a bushie, I'm a battler
I am Australian

We are one, but we are many
And from all the lands on earth we come
We'll share a dream and sing with one voice
"I am, you are, we are Australian"

I'm a teller of stories
I'm a singer of songs
I am Albert Namatjira
And I paint the ghostly gums
I'm Clancy on his horse
I'm Ned Kelly on the run
I'm the one who waltzed Matilda
I am Australian

I'm the hot wind from the desert
I'm the black soil of the plains
I'm the mountains and the valleys
I'm the drought and flooding rains
I am the rock, I am the sky
The rivers when they run
The spirit of this great land
I am Australian

We are one, but we are many
And from all the lands on earth we come
We'll share a dream and sing with one voice
"I am, you are, we are Australian"

We are one, but we are many
And from all the lands on earth we come
We'll share a dream and sing with one voice
"I am, you are, we are Australian"





"I am, you are, we are Australian"

Overall Meaning

The Seekers' song "I Am Australian" is a powerful anthem that celebrates the diversity, resilience, and spirit of Australia. The lyrics speak of people who have come from different backgrounds and experiences, but who are united in their love and pride for their country. The song highlights the rich history of Australia, from the dream-time and the ancient heart of the land to the arrival of tall ships and the struggles of convicts and settlers. The song also acknowledges the contributions of Indigenous Australians, farmers, miners, artists, and ordinary people, all of whom have helped shape Australia into the country it is today.


The chorus of the song, "We are one, but we are many, and from all the lands on earth we come," speaks to the idea that despite our differences, we are all members of the same human family. The final line, "I am, you are, we are Australian," emphasizes this unity and creates a sense of belonging and community.


"I Am Australian" was written by Bruce Woodley and Dobe Newton, the lead singer of The Bushwackers. The song was first performed by The Seekers at the opening ceremony of World Expo '88 in Brisbane, Queensland. Today, it is considered one of Australia's most beloved and recognizable songs, and it is often performed at national events and sports matches.


Line by Line Meaning

I came from the dream-time
I have been a part of Australia since its beginning


From the dusty red-soil plains
I have been present on this land since before history was recorded


I am the ancient heart
I am the foundation of Australian history and culture


The keeper of the flame
I preserve the traditions and values of Australia


I stood upon the rocky shores
I have witnessed the arrival of outsiders to this land for thousands of years


I watched the tall ships come
I have seen the arrival of different cultures to Australia


For forty thousand years I've been
I have been present in this land for an incredibly long time


The first Australian
I was the original inhabitant of this land


I came upon the prison ship
I have experienced the hardship and struggle of being imprisoned in Australia


Bowed down by iron chains
I have suffered under the oppressive rule of outsiders in Australia


I fought the land, endured the lash
I have overcome the harshness of the Australian environment and the brutal punishment of its rulers


And waited for the rains
I have persevered through hardships and remained hopeful for better times


I'm a settler, I'm a farmer's wife
I am part of the group that has settled and cultivated the land in Australia


On a dry and barren run
I have witnessed and coped with the huge challenge of using Australian soil to provide sustenance


A convict, then a free man
I have felt the pain of imprisonment and the joy of liberation in this land


I'm the daughter of a digger
I come from a family that has helped build Australia


Who sought the mother lode
My family has sought prosperity and wealth in Australia


The girl became a woman
I have matured in this land and developed a strong identity as an Australian


On the long and dusty road
I have travelled the vast distances of this land and have felt its rugged beauty


I'm a child of the Depression
I have been part of the generation that has gone through economic hardship in Australia


I saw the good times come
I have witnessed the progress and prosperity of Australia


I'm a bushie, I'm a battler
I am part of the group that understands the true nature of Australian life and knows how to survive in it


I am Australian
I proudly represent the identity and culture of Australia


We are one, but we are many
We are all different, but we are united under the banner of Australia


And from all the lands on earth we come
We are diverse and multicultural, but we all call Australia home


We'll share a dream and sing with one voice
We will work together to achieve a common goal and celebrate our unity


"I am, you are, we are Australian"
This is our shared identity and bond as Australians


I'm a teller of stories
I am part of the tradition of sharing stories and experiences in Australia


I'm a singer of songs
I participate in the vibrant musical culture of Australia


I am Albert Namatjira
I am part of the legacy of the famous Indigenous Australian artist Albert Namatjira


And I paint the ghostly gums
I continue the artistic tradition of depicting the unique landscapes of Australia


I'm Clancy on his horse
I celebrate the literary legacy of Australia, including the famous character Clancy from the ballad "Clancy of the Overflow"


I'm Ned Kelly on the run
I pay tribute to the infamous Australian outlaw Ned Kelly and his rebellious spirit


I'm the one who waltzed Matilda
I am part of the Australian folk tradition and heritage, as seen in the iconic song "Waltzing Matilda"


I am the rock, I am the sky
I am part of the enduring and unchanging landscape of Australia


The rivers when they run
I am part of the dynamic and vital waterways of Australia


The spirit of this great land
I embody the essence and character of the land of Australia




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Bruce Woodley, Dobe Newton

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@zoeangel4lyf

REST IN PEACE JUDITH DURHAM!!!!I Only JUST found out She passed away 5th August Last year...

Thank you for your WONDERFUL ANGELIC VOICE, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC AND ALL THE JOY YOU BROUGHT TO EVERYONES LIVES....

The Worlds a Little Less Brighter without you in it...

And Thank you to ALL THE PEOPLE WHOVE commented on my Post, All the Loving Kind words, I'm Glad My Words Touched some of Youse, Remember, NO MATTER WHERE YOUR FROM, What you look like OR What Religion, WE ARE ALL AUSTRALIAN. WE ARE ALL BROTHERS AND SISTERS, And When our times up on the Godly Plain, We ALL end up in the Same Place.. SO IN THE END, WE ARE ONE AND WE ARE MANY!!

AND From ALL THE LANDS ON EARTH WE COME! WE SING WITH ONE VOICE.


BE PROUD of WHO YOU ARE OR WHEREVER YOUR FROM

MY BROTHERS SISTERS AUNTS AND UNCLES.

From Me to you ALL, STAY SAFE, BE BLESSED and Watch out for your friends and family. Love You ALL



@barbsmart7373

Kia ora,
Your comment, humility and loyalty touch my heart.
As a Kiwi, I feel a great love for Americans.
I love your friendly people.
Our history counts for a lot.
1918. Thankyou to your keen, brave, committed boys. We don't forget.
And WW11. I never forget. Your airpilots, soldiers & marines.
To the liberators of the camps they found in 1945. My gratitude is deep.
Your comment, Bro is very beautiful. Don't forget your country is great and our men often fought for the same cause.
Cheers, e hoa.



All comments from YouTube:

@dylanrowley5263

As a young Aboriginal male, this song makes me cry.. it leaves me awestruck after i hear this song, and judiths voice. I just close my eyes and listen to the lyrics, no matter where your from, what you look like, WE are Australian! Love the Seekers beyond words

@thegoldengamertdg6592

🥺❤️🇦🇺❤️🥺

@gfrkiss

I'm from London, I have relatives over there. Be proud my Friend.....We are all brothers.

@JouJouQuiQui

It makes me cry too. I try to sing along proudly but my voice always breaks from being so choked up from emotion. It acknowledges the custodians of our great southern land as being the first Australians, it acknowledges the convicts from my ancestors and is all inclusive for every person in Australia. Definitely should be our national anthem.

@glaswegiansouth-side2350

I'm Scottish and when i was young i listened to punk rock then Pink Floyd,Yardbirds,David Bowie etc.But this song tops the lot.A shorter version should be the Aussie national anthem....Yes for a few minutes there i was an Aussie.

@wingsandash

Thank you for this comment. <3

212 More Replies...

@maceuncheek1856

My brother emigrated to Australia in 1966, came back for a visit in 1993. I visited him in 2018 and found it to be a wonderful country. He loved the country and lifestyle, he was a true Australian. I lost him in December 2022. This song brings me to tears every time I hear it. So many happy memories of a wonderful brother.

@lynneburridge9082

My deepest sympathy to you n your family.

@rodders62

Thank you, for you kind thought, especially to a stranger.

@MUNSON444

I'll know I made it to Heaven if I hear Judith Durham singing

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