This was a wonderful song and performance. The lyrics of the song are so meaningful and well written. It really takes you on a journey through Australian history and pays tribute to everyone and everything that makes Australia the great country it is today. Reading through the comments it is really sad to hear that the female singer, Judith Durham, passed away recently. That is heartbreaking. RIP Judith
This is IMO what makes Australia so great. Obviously 1st nation, but as 5th gen Aussie I love my country, and I love all my people. This is an ode to all people who just love our country.
Thank you for this review, I'm not sure where you are (trying to work out your accent - Irish?) But I'm seriously impressed at the knowledge you have to know what each verse in this song is about.
Our darling Judith Durham died about 4 months ago. She was as wonderful a person as her voice. She was given a state funeral, such was the esteem with which she was held. Bruce Woodley, the other singer, co-wrote this song, which many Aussies believe should be our national anthem. The other members of this iconic group are Athol Guy and Keith Potger. We love the Seekers. They were probably our first international superstars, back in the 60s. RIP dear Judith.
@@MertAusHer whole career was a kind of miracle; at five years old she contracted measles which left her with a degenerative lung condition. And six months before this concert she suffered a brain haemorrhage which in 95% of cases takes people’s speech, and yet, 50 years after their debut, her voice was undimmed and as magical as it ever was.
There's not a fair dinkum Aussie alive who once having heard this song doesn't identify with its message in fact you will find a large part of our population would gladly make it our national anthem . It brings a tear to this grumpy old man's eye everytime I hear it and especially if sung by the Seekers who were our first Aussie group or band to make it overseas inthe 60s their hits included WE'LL BUILD A WORLD OF OUR OWN and GEORGIE GIRL plus a host of others , sadly Judith Durham the female lead singer passed away this year around the same time as our Olivia Newton John it was a blow to all Aussie music lovers and they will be missed . Thank you for taking the time to listen and your analysis was spot on
Thanks for the comment and explanation mate, I appreciate it. I can see why it would resonate with Australians. It is beautifully written and really paints and a vivid picture of Australian history and what makes Australia a great country. I really enjoyed it.
@@MertAus If you don't know, the Seekers were pretty huge in the UK as well in their time and apparently sometimes knocked the Beatles off the top of the charts.
I am part Aboriginal, and part Irish [sent as political prisoners] and part Scottish who came after the first prison ships as free men. Australia, when you are born here, or maybe it is just my Koori blood, the land is just part of you - even when living in a city I ached for the bush. So I commuted over an hour just to live on acreage among the gums and wildlife. Not having that connection is like losing a part of yourself and I think every Aussie feels it - some more than others, but we all feel a connection. This song sends tingles up your spine.
I came here to say essentially the same thing except that I have European blood. I live in NZ for a few months and decided to go for a bush walk to feel the land but it wasn’t even close to the feelings I get here.
That is such a wonderful thing. I love that thought that the land is part of you. It must be such a special feeling to feel like that. Thanks for your comment, it was really nice to read.
I am 5th generation Aussie, born on the land, even though I no longer live on a farm, I still feel as you do, the land is part of me. It is reinforced every time I come back to Aus after an overseas holiday. I love this country and it is a part of me, body and soul...
The Government wanted us to have one that most children don’t understand and some adults. That no one wants to sing unless they just gold meddled at the Olympics. I remember when they were choosing the new Anthem to replace God Save The Queen. There were some good songs put forward. One was brilliant and loved. Then they printed our new one in the paper. People were asking what is that? It should have been a part of a vote.
This would be a great national anthem actually. Gives some great insight into Australian history, pays tribute to the people and the land and is just stirring and beautiful. I agree with you.
Except that sadly it couldn’t be in that form. It is too long for the formal anthem occasions, and the first few verses don’t make sense or tell the full story if they are sung alone. The fifth verse, the chorus and an added sixth verse to bring it further into this century would be beautiful and more workable for the formal anthem part, but still keeping the entire song for special occasions, especially teaching children and new arrivals about this country.
This should be the national anthem. We are a very lucky people to live in such an amazing country. Douglas Adams, the author of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", once said of Australians: "Alone of all the races on Earth, they seem to be free from the 'Grass is Greener on the other side of the fence' syndrome, and roundly proclaim that Australia is, in fact, the other side of that fence."
That is such a fantastic quote. When I visited Australia I honestly could feel that. Everyone just seemed happy and gave off such positive vibes. I have felt such a positive atmosphere in any other country that I have visited before. It is quite a special place
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"
Your reaction to I AM AUSTRALIAN was fabulous to watch! I am English and find it very moving and emotional. For the duration of the song: 'I AM Australian'. You have accepted it like so many around the world. THE SEEKERS are Keith Podger on 12 string Guitar, Bruce Woodley on six string Guitar - who co wrote that amazing 'anthem' with his friend Dobe Newton of The Bushwackers in 1987 - Athol Guy on Double Bass - and their lead singer - Judith Durham, who sadly 'passed' on August 5th 2022. May she Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory, Amen. Thank You for this 'reaction' video.
@@MertAus And she was in her 70s here. Her voice had weakened only a little with age. In fact they were all in their seventies. Her voice was distinctive and magical. And she was a genuinely nice person.
As an Aussie, this song moves me every time regardless of who sings it. It also reminds Aussies that the land and people are one, which is our Aboriginal brother’s and sister’s beliefs.
Bruce Woodley (the first guy who sings) co-wrote the song with Dobe Newton of “The Bushwackers.” It’s an incredible song & the lyrics are absolutely outstanding! The female singer, Judith, recently passed. She was about 69 when she did this live performance, 10 years ago. They’re really a great band & had quite a few hits in the UK! PS discovered & subscribed to your channel today & am already a fan of your intelligent, empathetic & insightful reactions. You seem a really nice guy.
During the whole year of Covid lockdown in Australia, our national broadcaster (ABC) filmed many different versions of this classic song, with zoom choirs and musicians across the country. Made this song even more special.
You grasped everything perfectly, but the fourth verse does contain some VERY Australian references: 'I'm a teller of stories I'm a singer of songs (refers to the man singing the song, who also co-wrote it - Bruce Woodley) 'I am Albert Namatjira And I paint the ghostly gums (refers to Australian Indigenous Artist Albert Namatjira; if you google his name you will see examples of his beautiful paintings) 'I'm Clancy on his horse (refers to the classic Australian Poem: Clancy of the Overflow' by AB (Banjo) Patterson) 'I'm Ned Kelly on the run (refers to the infamous bush-ranger, Ned Kelly) 'I'm the one who waltzed Matilda (refers to the beloved Australian Poem/song 'Waltzing Matilda' also by Banjo Patterson) Banjo Patterson features on our $10 note.
Well said. I was going to say similar but you beat me to it and did a much better job than I was going to. 🙂 I’ll also add that with the descriptions of geography such as mountains and black soil plains, I feel like there’s a reference to Dorothy McKellar’s “My Country” in there as well.
Yes. It goes through some of the most significant changes/events that has made Australia what it is today. From our Indigenous Peoples, through convicts and immigrants it tells the story of the growth of a nation. To me, the last verse brings us full circle ... back to the land, something at the very heart of the First Australians, which they regard with absolute deference. They were here first, and they knew how to manage the land sustainably and respectfully. As with many Indigenous nations across the world, ours went through hell and are still recovering from generations of maltreatment and abuse. Judith had a wonderful voice. They sounded amazing together. It would be great if you reacted to some of their early stuff just to see how amazing this group was. RIP Judith. 💕
Young man, you are the only person so far that understand that the song is telling the story of Australia. Acknowledging the FIRST NATION, the European convicts and settlers then the rest of us migrating from everywhere to ALL BECOME AUSTRALIAN. Truly a beautiful song and should be played everywhere, ESPECIALLY NOW. RIP JUDITH.
I was born in aberdeen,, and i was one of many UK immigrants that came to Australia as a child. This sing really resonates with me and should be the national anthem. You described the meaning of the song to a tee.
Been living overseas for near on 20 years, and this is my go to song when I'm missing home. I might have made my life elsewhere, but I'll always be proud to be Australian. If this song doesn't bring a tear to you eye, you must have a heart of granite, or you're a Kiwi.
Paul R To put the Seekers into context as a world band. 1964 The Beatles had 5 number one UK hits in a row. Yes in that tumultuous time of the 60s when the Beatles were ruling the world, only 1 band stopped their run - The Seekers.
Gday Mat. Judith Durham of the Seekers sadly passed away this year. At this particular concert she was only a few months post brain haemorrhage which saw her having to relearn to play the piano and walk, read and write. She was an incredibly strong woman who gave so much to others and to the Australian music industry too.
Dr_KAP i am beginning to suspect you may be our unofficial ambassador, i see your posts in so many reaction channels advancing our talent, if it hasnt been said i will say it, you are appreciated for this, thanks
The Seekers were an Aussie institution, singing beautiful songs since the early 60's. I'm not sure when this farewell concert was exactly, I'm sure someone else will fill you in, but the lovely Judith Durham, with an angels voice, sadly passed away in August this year. I don't think there are many Aussies who don't get moved when they hear this. Thanks for your great reaction. ❤
I just checked on the original video description and it said the performance was in 2014. The fact they have they have been performing since the 60s as you mention and still performing so beautifully 50 years later just shows how talented they are. I will need to find out more about them and listen to some more of their stuff. RIP to Judith. That is so sad.
It doesn't matter how many times I hear this song, it still makes me tear up 😢, and have goosebumps. I love it because it's all inclusive of all of us, and shows the hardships that were endured to make Oz what it is today. Our sadly missed songstress Judith Durham had a voice so angelic 🤗
‘Clancy on his horse’ was referenced in this song. Clancy was a character written by one of our most famous poets, Andrew “Banjo” Patterson. I’ll copy and paste a poem about him here, followed by a link to a video clip, I think you’ll enjoy. The video is an excerpt from a movie series inspired by Banjo Patterson’s poem “The Man From Snowy River”, the poem is read to a bit of footage from the first movie in the series. Legend say the man from snowy river actually existed and the legend speaks to the Australian psyche… the underdog overcoming great odds. Clancy is one of the characters in The Man From Snowy River movie. CLANCY OF THE OVERFLOW - A.B. "Banjo" Paterson I had written him a letter which I had, for want of better knowledge, Sent to where I met him down the Lachlan, years ago, He was shearing when I knew him, so I sent the letter to him, Just "on spec", addressed as follows: "Clancy, of The Overflow". And an answer came directed in a writing unexpected, (And I think the same was written in a thumbnail dipped in tar) 'Twas his shearing mate who wrote it, and verbatim I will quote it: “Clancy's gone to Queensland droving, and we don't know where he are." In my wild erratic fancy visions come to me of Clancy Gone a-droving "down the Cooper" where the western drovers go; As the stock are slowly stringing, Clancy rides behind them singing For the drover's life has pleasures that the townsfolk never know. And the bush hath friends to meet him, and their kindly voices greet him In the murmur of the breezes and the river on its bars, And he sees the vision splendid of the sunlit plains extended, And at night the wondrous glory of the everlasting stars. I am sitting in my dingy little office, where a stingy Ray of sunlight struggles feebly down between the houses tall, And the foetid air and gritty of the dusty, dirty city Through the open window floating, spreads its foulness over all. And in place of lowing cattle, I can hear the fiendish rattle Of the tramways and the buses making hurry down the street, And the language uninviting of the gutter children fighting, Comes fitfully and faintly through the ceaseless tramp of feet. And the hurrying people daunt me, and their pallid faces haunt me As they shoulder one another in their rush and nervous haste, With their eager eyes and greedy, and their stunted forms and weedy, For townsfolk have no time to grow, they have no time to waste. And I somehow fancy that I'd like to change with Clancy, Like to take a turn at droving where the seasons come and go, While he faced the round eternal of the cashbook and the journal - But I doubt he'd suit the office, Clancy, of "The Overflow". The Bulletin, 21 December 1889. This video is just a ten minute watch. I guarantee it will give you goosebumps and you’ll probably be reacting to it next. Link to The Man From Snowy River short clip ➡️ th-cam.com/video/hlKptiofy9w/w-d-xo.html
@@jennifermcdonald5432 you’re most welcome, lovely! 💐 I can’t take credit for typing it all out. I simply copied and pasted it. I think we all know at least the first few verses off by heart, don’t we?!
This song gives me the goosebumps whenever I hear it. I am a very proud 1st Generation Australian from Dutch Immigrants so the words "From All The Lands We Come" has a very significant meaning for me. If you can I would highly recommend finding a copy of the lyrics for this song as there is so much more in the song that you may have missed just due to perhaps not knowing the history of some of the references in the lyrics. A vast majority of Australia's have a very deep deep love for our country, not in a patriotic way as say American's have for the USA, don't get me wrong we love our flag and that, but it is the earth under our feet, the landscapes, the freedom, the multicultural population, the first Australians with their mind-blowing Art and culture, it is hard to adequately convey these feelings into words. I think that how Australia came to be is just so interesting and we were not born of a "War" for territory (I am not saying that Australia was not invaded by England when the first of many ships came, those early settlers certainly have blood on their hands and I think even now we could do much better to help our Aboriginal people) we have not had the need to battle for Independance from another Country, nor have we had a civil war to between different regions of the country. We grew out of people wanting to immigrate for a better life from all 4 corners of the globe. I love your commentary on the songs you react to, and you seem to really get the meaning for the songs. I look forward to seeing you progress on your journey to learn more about our beautiful country the good and the bad. Australians are not perfect by any means, but Australia is perfect in my humble opinion.
The black soil plains are actually called Shifting Black Soil Plains, because you cannot just build a house on it, you have to put down a gravel pad to start, and check the soil movement often, to keep your house intact. This area is very good for farming, but a hard life, keeping up. The seekers were just the guys at first, they were looking for a girl to sing with the group. Judith Durham worked in an office with one of the guys, he asked if she'd like to come to the cafe they peformed in, to see if she'd like to sing with them. That worked out well. They decided to go to the Uk, to make it big possibly. Judith was 20, had to get permission to sing on a ship to England, working the passage, with 3 strangers. When they got there, they were in demand, she didn't get back for years. When will the good apples Fall, is a great song, so are Morningtown Ride, and Georgie gIrl. Actually the original australians, did not believe they "owned" their lands, they all as individuals, "belonged to" their tribal lands, so when they were supposed to sell their land to the white man, they had no concept of the idea. Taking them away as children, stopping them from learning their language and family stories/history, destroyed so many people. There are at least a thousand of languages among the tribes.
Rest In Peace Judith Durham. 6 hours later she suffered a brain bleed, so the tour was 'paused', She recovered and went on to finish the tour. She had such a beautiful and unique voice. She moved to the UK. We all miss her. "I AM AUSTRALIAN" should be our National Anthem.
Moves me to tears everytime. Makes me very proud to be of part convict stock. A mother steals a chook to feed her 3 small girls and get sent to Australia but not just her they send the 3 young kids on the 4 month horrendous journey with her. I come from strong line of women. Very proud to be Australian. 🇦🇺🇭🇲
I'm American that has always been interested in Australia. This song is just about the greatest description I have ever heard. I hope your younger generation will listen to it to understand just who you are. We need a lot more of this in America also.
As soon as I saw your thumbnail I knew my tears would well up 😊 This song is considered an unofficial national anthem. Bruce Woodley, who wrote the song, sang the first few verses. Then Judith Durham stepped in. She had one of the most iconic voices of the 20th century. Sadly, she died a few months ago of complications from chronic illness. Their group, the Seekers (including Keith Potger and Athol Guy, who also perform here) were huge worldwide in the 60s. You should check out their live performances from the early years.
Yep, the seekers. In the 1960s they went to London and kicked arse, briefly topping the charts at number 1 with another little band at number 2 called the Beatles. Judith wanted to come home, so their fame was short lived. But they are still loved in Australia. And as many have said, this should be our anthem. It's a beautiful song. I had the honour of meeting Judith briefly at channel 7 back in the 90s when she was doing a spot. A lovely lady, still nervous at that age with all her experience. Suffice to say, she totally nailed it.
This song makes me cry EVERY SINGLE TIME I HEAR IT! Vecause I am so damn proud to be Australian. It paints a picture of such unity. But it brings me to tears mostly because our people are constantly struggling to find that united community due to all the atrocities and pain of the past. Current generations blaming each other for events that happened 200 years ago. I pray for the day the hatred ends and we truly come together as one ❤
You bit it on the head the epitome of what it means . This is a great version of this song. the seekers were huge in the 60’s. Judith has a beautiful voice. Listen to her singing when the Carnival is Over. Judith sadly passed away this year. She got a state funeral.
What a masterpiece! I don't know the highest honor Australia gives its citizens, but Bruce Woodley should receive it (if he has not already received it). This American fell in love with this song as soon as it was heard. I could see this song as the national anthem--as many others have suggested. In fact, it is listed among Australia's patriotic songs.
seriously one of the best reactions I've seen to it - and you've very much tuned into exactly what the song is about - the original custodians, the British settlers, the people who have seen hard times, the culture and the country - all of that (no matter our exact path to get here) brings us together as Australians
This band is iconic. They went to Britain in the early sixties and knocked The Beatles out of the number one position in the music charts. There will never be another voice like Judith Durham who we sadly lost last year. The Seekers are another of Australias National treasures.
When he talks about Clancy and Albert Namatjira he's referring to the Arts and Literature that have shaped Australia - they included everything from the people the Land and what is the cultural heart of Australia as well.
I was so moved by watching your reaction while watching and listening to the words. The stories told in this song have been repeated many times, recently in our history the bushfires around our country and the unimaginable lose of human and animal life, lively-hoods, natural bush land. And very recently and continuing floods. The Aussie battler never gives up, but it's heart breaking. That you understood what they were saying and being able to recount the tales impressed me very much. Thank you for this video. You have a new subscriber. Cheers
Yes, the verses reflect different aspects of australia's history. 1st verse is from an Aboriginal perspective 2nd verse is from a Convict perspective 3rd verse is from a Settlers Perspective. 4th verse is about Australian Singers, Writers, Artists and Folk heros 5th verse is about the Land, Floods and Droughts
Unfortunately the lady with the magnificent voice, Judith Durham, died on 5 August 2022 (age 79) from a chronic degenerative lung disease from which she suffered from 4 years of age. Her passing is a great loss to the world and in particular to Australia.
The fourth verse is my favourite, as it references our cultural icons. Albert Namatjirra was an indigenous artist famous for his landscapes, in particular the gum trees. Clancy on his horse is a reference to poet and author Banjo Patterson, who wrote the Man From Snowy River and Waltzing Matilda (and Clancy was a recurring character in his works), Ned Kelly was our most famous bushranger, and Waltzing Matilda is in our blood.
It’s wonderful that you knew so much of the history that is the story of this song. It would mean so much more. Your insight into the deeper meanings of the song were very impressive. The fourth verse is the folklore and culture of Australia. Albert Namatjira was an artist who stepped away from traditional indigenous style to paint with a realistic style where he captured the uniquely Australian light better than any of the European artists of the time. The song refers to some of his most famous paintings of the ghost gum trees of Australia. Ned Kelly you may have heard of, an infamous bushranger, leader of the Kelly gang, who wore crude armour with a distinctive metal helmet. Clancy on his horse is from the poem Clancy of the Overflow by our most famous poet, A.B.Banjo Paterson. The one who waltzed Matilda comes from the iconic Australian song Waltzing Matilda, a poem, also written by Banjo Paterson, later set to music. Matilda is the swag - possessions rolled and tied up, a stick poked through, carried over the shoulder. It would sway (waltz) as the swagman (itinerant worker) walked along.
We learnt this song in primary school and it's just such a wonderful song for kids to be exposed to as it encompasses how multiculturalism makes our country what it is today so teaches kids about how we are all Australian no matter where we were born or what we look like. I love that it includes the beauty of nature of Australia. Honestly when you love in Australia & experience the various devastating weather patterns we are exposed to you can only but appreciate this Earth for all she goes through. The uniqueness of our flora, the lines such as "The Rivers when They Run" just have so much meaning to us especially going through drought for so many years & the bushfires on the back of the drought to now where much of Australia that suffered through years of drought have been putting up with 2yrs of constant rain including flooding again & again. We can only but respect this land and appreciate her for her uniqueness and toughness. I reckon Aussie Bushies are some of the toughest people on Earth with what they experience time and again.
The Seekers were a 60s folk group who had many hits. They eclipsed the beatles and The Rolling stones. Judith Durham ( died recently) had a great voice to the end. The Carnival is Over is worth reacting to, also many Seekers songs. They were Australian great . ( BTW I worked in a guitar shop and taught Keith Potger how to string a 12 string at age 13 but with short string ends -) . I can't think of an Australian who doesn't love their sound. Cheers- come down under, it's a 7 hour flight from kuala Lumpur. You'll love Australia.
Judith Durham (1943 - 2022) was Australia's first pop princess in the 1960s (most people react as you did on hearing her voice for the first time), before she left the Seekers in 1968 - look at their earlier work, freely available on TH-cam; "When the Beatles and the Stones divided households, the Seekers united them." They got back together in 1993 for a farewell concert which tuned into a 2-year World Tour - this footage is from their 2014 50th Anniversary concert. In 1968, they played the Meyer Music Bowl in their native Melbourne, to an audience of 200,000 - a record for the Southern Hemisphere which still stands. Bruce Woodley (Male lead) co-wrote this song in the '70s, but Judith was born to sing the female part.
The 40,000 years has now been proven to be 65,000 years. Judith was the lead singer. She was left with a lung disease from having measles as a child and that is why she died. She had just recovered from a bad stroke before this Farewell tour but nothing ever changed her voice. Even her marriage was hard because her husband had Motor Neuron Disease. Judith left the Seeker’s to make albums for this charity. As you can see she went back when needed. We lost her the same time as we lost Olivia Newton John and they were both loved and both missed. The seekers were known around the world. They had number one hits in England this song along with the Peter Allen song used by QANTAS are our songs. Try some younger Seekers hits like The Carnival is Over or GeorgieGirl. Anything they sang was great. The Aboriginal people are still recognised as the first owners of the land. We thank them before just about anything for sharing it. The specific people of each area. My two sons belong to two different people because they worked with them and really cared for them. We also made sure they grew up with them at school and as friends. Like I did. Thank you for playing and reacting to this, it is all of what Australia was and is.
That is so sad about Judith and Olivia. So tragic to lose two such special people in such a short period of time. This was a wonderful piece of music. I really like it showed appreciation for every person who makes up Australia.
Judith had suffered a stroke the year before this tour, which I believe is why she is sitting down. It affected her ability to read & write, both visual language & musical scores, but not her singing. I’ve loved The Seekers from their beginning, & was so sad when Judith passed away in August 2022. This song is one of my favourites, & easily brings a tear to the eye. ❤️🇦🇺
Love watching your reaction when Judith first sings she was pitch perfect . Now she has passed this year August 5th .. love the seekers thanks for sharing and hope you go on and enjoy more of their music ... Poets all of them cheers Mate
Many of us Aussies think this should be our national anthem it goes straight to the heart, it includes all of us here, it doesn't matter what your place of origin your an Aussie now the same as all of us. For we are one but we are many and from all the lands on earth we come. RIP JD
It's a shame we have lost her beautiful voice, when I was young Judith was every Teenager dream, a beautiful young Lady and that voice, she will be missed but not forgotten. ❤
It is a fantastic song, so inclusive. It is definitely heart stirring, even looked like you were getting patriotic and you're not even Aussie....yet🤣. Oh Judith Durham and the Seekers were world wide stars in the 60s and 70s.... HUGE!! Judith's voice is phenomenal.
Hi Matt, I’m really enjoying your channel and enthusiasm. If you genuinely want to hear more about the Australian Aboriginal perspective listen to Solid Rock by Goanna and Treaty by Yothu Yindi. Perhaps even Beds Are Burning by Midnight Oil as well. Keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll forever have Australians following your journey.
I swear it’s one of my absolute favourite things on the internet: that look of shock on people’s faces when they hear Judith’s glorious voice for the first time. It’s such a quintessentially Australian thing that we love to introduce people to the best things, as well as try to pull their legs about drop bears and the like.
Thank you so much for understanding the truth behind the song. It goes through the motions and stages of history... You reflected respectfully. I cry every time xx
Thank you for this. Im not aboriginal myself but live in a country area with a high population of aboriginal people, many are good friends of mine in fact theres a family right next door whose daughter is school friends with my son. They are wonderful people and the first verse describes their history perfectly. What i do have personally is irish and british descent (and some german). My paternal grandfathers, grandfather (if that makes sense) was a policeman on one of these convict ships, he then bought a farm which my uncle, his wife, 2 sons and families still run today with a big dairy operation in south australia. As many have already said the seekers are amazing, watching some of their videos is how i ended up here on your channel (which is awesome ive spent a lot of today watching your videos). These 4 members formed the band as we know it back in 1962 (my parents werent even born) as basically teenagers, they split up for 25 years or so and reformed in the early 90s and were still active until judith passed away last year but what an incredible 60 years they have given us. If you look them up youll find some very young videos of the same 4 members from the 60s. Even here they were in their 70s and had not lost any performance. And the song itself i just cant get enough of it, Bruce Woodley (the other lead singer here) wrote the song while the band were separated, around 1987 from memory but they absolutely nailed every part of what our country is made of in each verse.
I'm so glad you got the meaning of all the versus. I'm 100% Australian born with ancestors from many regions throughout Europe but one of my first ancestors here was a convict from Scotland. I'm sure you can relate when I say it's that DNA that causes me to get goosebumps and to tear up over a bagpipe.
A digger was originally those who came to dig for gold in the 1850s. 'Digger" is now used to describe soldiers. They dug trenches in WW1 so "digger" transferred. I have convict ancestors & their grandsons went to fight in WW1 for the UK. My dad was a bushman. As were his family
The Seekers were around in the 60s and were great then. They had a concert at the , bloody cant remember now. It was a music bowl in Melbourne. There were a hundred thousand people there. 1966 or 67. We were told that many people were there, we ended up in a boat on the Yarra river and could hear them. Amazing.
A digger is what we call soldiers, so she's singing I'm a daughter of a digger (soldier) who sort the motherload meaning her father fought in WW1 in Gallipoli. A bushy is someone from the bush or anyone outside of the city & urban areas. A Battler is a description of all Aussie thru all eras of time. Where life is a big struggle in a wild & untamed land where everything happens to try & destroy u like natural disasters like droughts, floods & bushfires which are normal parts of our lives but after the battle we then start again. It's telling u how resilient of a people we are & even tho it tries to tear us down & destroy us that we always fight back & after the battle we come back bigger & better
Mate loved your reaction. So many people that aren't Australian don't really understand this song apart from the chorus. You definitely get it all. Appreciated.
The song reflects the timeline in the history of Australia. In the first verse, it tells of the first people; who came to Australia, over 50,000 years ago(the oldest living and continuing inhabitants anywhere in the world). The second verse, tells of the establishment of Australia; firstly through convicts, and then free settlers. The third verse talks the battlers, that strove to tame the land; in difference to the indigenous people, who worked with the land. The chorus tells of how Australia evolved, through migrant population; how, even though we came from different cultures, we are coming together as one. The fourth verse tells who we are, and those that changed our ways; Albert Namajira is the first globally recognized indigenous artist, and it talks about our folklore. The fifth verse talks about the land and climate, we endured; it describes the wonder and the beauty of our great land. The second refrain of the chorus, reinforces who we are; as a nation.
The frequent claim that Australian Aboriginal culture is the oldest continuous culture on Earth, measured at 50,000 years, is a curious one. It is incorrect. This title belongs to the San people, who have existed for at least 150,000 years in southern Africa.
If you are prepared to love this land and work for your place in it, we are prepared to welcome and embrace you. That IS Australia in a nutshell. For me the tears always start to fall when he starts singing about the convict ships. That is how my maternal family arrived here, as first fleet convicts. Arriving in chains they were part of the first group to settle Norfolk Island, they married there and started a family there that today is thought to include 1 in every 6 Aussies through one line of descent or another. His name was Nathaniel Lucas and from chains he became the carpenter general of NSW, she was Olivia Gascoyne, sentenced to death for petty theft and her sentence commuted to transportation for life. EVERY Aussie family has their own story of how they came to be Australian.......
Us Aussies seem to have a deep connection to the land, when I travel the thing I really miss is the smell of the bush. The only other place where I felt that connection was the Highlands of Scotland, ( my father was from Aberdeenshire)
Probably one of the most impactful songs in Australian music history, we used to sing this song during primary school, especially in the countryside (I don't know if they do that anymore). Many people even cry when they hear this song. It's a very precious part of our culture.
These are The Seekers, an Australian folk-pop group, who were famous around the world, in the 1960s and 1970s, with Number one hits, singing our unofficial national anthem. The lady, Judith Durham went on to have a career in singing jazz. Many of us only recently found out that she had a chronic lung disease which resulted from childhood measles and finally resulted in her death this year. Judith was given a state funeral in Melbourne where she lived. The first nations people have been here for much longer than forty thousand years, it has been found, after this song was written. They are the oldest peoples/culture on earth and believe that they are part of the land. Convicts, free settlers and the military first came to Australia. Many of the convicts had committed minor crimes but were given harsh sentences due to the legal and class system in the countries of Britain.(Serious crimes were punished by hanging in Britain.) We have had two depressions in Oz, in the1920s and 1930s. This resulted in certain banking regulations to prevent a depression happening again.
This was a wonderful song and performance. The lyrics of the song are so meaningful and well written. It really takes you on a journey through Australian history and pays tribute to everyone and everything that makes Australia the great country it is today. Reading through the comments it is really sad to hear that the female singer, Judith Durham, passed away recently. That is heartbreaking. RIP Judith
You probably heard your mum listening to the seekers growing up. Try their hit Georgie girl
R.I.P Judith
This is IMO what makes Australia so great. Obviously 1st nation, but as 5th gen Aussie I love my country, and I love all my people. This is an ode to all people who just love our country.
When Judith sang this farewell concert she was 73, sadly died in August.
Thank you for this review, I'm not sure where you are (trying to work out your accent - Irish?) But I'm seriously impressed at the knowledge you have to know what each verse in this song is about.
Our darling Judith Durham died about 4 months ago. She was as wonderful a person as her voice. She was given a state funeral, such was the esteem with which she was held. Bruce Woodley, the other singer, co-wrote this song, which many Aussies believe should be our national anthem. The other members of this iconic group are Athol Guy and Keith Potger. We love the Seekers. They were probably our first international superstars, back in the 60s. RIP dear Judith.
She sounds like an amazing person. So sad to hear of her passing. She was an extremely talented lady. RIP
Hey voice will live on with us for a long time to come!
True, very pure and talented lady, she’ll live on throughout us forever!❤
@@MertAusHer whole career was a kind of miracle; at five years old she contracted measles which left her with a degenerative lung condition. And six months before this concert she suffered a brain haemorrhage which in 95% of cases takes people’s speech, and yet, 50 years after their debut, her voice was undimmed and as magical as it ever was.
There's not a fair dinkum Aussie alive who once having heard this song doesn't identify with its message in fact you will find a large part of our population would gladly make it our national anthem . It brings a tear to this grumpy old man's eye everytime I hear it and especially if sung by the Seekers who were our first Aussie group or band to make it overseas inthe 60s their hits included WE'LL BUILD A WORLD OF OUR OWN and GEORGIE GIRL plus a host of others , sadly Judith Durham the female lead singer passed away this year around the same time as our Olivia Newton John it was a blow to all Aussie music lovers and they will be missed . Thank you for taking the time to listen and your analysis was spot on
Thanks for the comment and explanation mate, I appreciate it. I can see why it would resonate with Australians. It is beautifully written and really paints and a vivid picture of Australian history and what makes Australia a great country. I really enjoyed it.
@@MertAus You would also be surprised to know that she had a stroke before this performance. That is why she is sitting down
@@MertAus If you don't know, the Seekers were pretty huge in the UK as well in their time and apparently sometimes knocked the Beatles off the top of the charts.
I am wondering what year did Judith Durham passed on. Could you please write it down if you know. I am constantly listening to the song here.
I am part Aboriginal, and part Irish [sent as political prisoners] and part Scottish who came after the first prison ships as free men. Australia, when you are born here, or maybe it is just my Koori blood, the land is just part of you - even when living in a city I ached for the bush. So I commuted over an hour just to live on acreage among the gums and wildlife. Not having that connection is like losing a part of yourself and I think every Aussie feels it - some more than others, but we all feel a connection. This song sends tingles up your spine.
I came here to say essentially the same thing except that I have European blood. I live in NZ for a few months and decided to go for a bush walk to feel the land but it wasn’t even close to the feelings I get here.
That is such a wonderful thing. I love that thought that the land is part of you. It must be such a special feeling to feel like that. Thanks for your comment, it was really nice to read.
@@MertAus there is nothing to stop you from feeling that way too mate.
Thank you for sharing ❤
I am 5th generation Aussie, born on the land, even though I no longer live on a farm, I still feel as you do, the land is part of me. It is reinforced every time I come back to Aus after an overseas holiday. I love this country and it is a part of me, body and soul...
Should be our national anthem 😁✌️🇦🇺
Agreed. Our anthem should be inspiring, not a dirge.
The Government wanted us to have one that most children don’t understand and some adults. That no one wants to sing unless they just gold meddled at the Olympics. I remember when they were choosing the new Anthem to replace God Save The Queen. There were some good songs put forward. One was brilliant and loved. Then they printed our new one in the paper. People were asking what is that? It should have been a part of a vote.
This would be a great national anthem actually. Gives some great insight into Australian history, pays tribute to the people and the land and is just stirring and beautiful. I agree with you.
A million times better than the racist crap we have now
Except that sadly it couldn’t be in that form. It is too long for the formal anthem occasions, and the first few verses don’t make sense or tell the full story if they are sung alone. The fifth verse, the chorus and an added sixth verse to bring it further into this century would be beautiful and more workable for the formal anthem part, but still keeping the entire song for special occasions, especially teaching children and new arrivals about this country.
This should be the national anthem. We are a very lucky people to live in such an amazing country. Douglas Adams, the author of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", once said of Australians: "Alone of all the races on Earth, they seem to be free from the 'Grass is Greener on the other side of the fence' syndrome, and roundly proclaim that Australia is, in fact, the other side of that fence."
That is such a fantastic quote. When I visited Australia I honestly could feel that. Everyone just seemed happy and gave off such positive vibes. I have felt such a positive atmosphere in any other country that I have visited before. It is quite a special place
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"
Thank you so much. Wonderful lyrics
I loved your reaction when Judith Durham started singing. She was a legend, RIP.
Your reaction to I AM AUSTRALIAN was fabulous to watch! I am English and find it very moving and emotional. For the duration of the song: 'I AM Australian'. You have accepted it like so many around the world. THE SEEKERS are Keith Podger on 12 string Guitar, Bruce Woodley on six string Guitar - who co wrote that amazing 'anthem' with his friend Dobe Newton of The Bushwackers in 1987 - Athol Guy on Double Bass - and their lead singer - Judith Durham, who sadly 'passed' on August 5th 2022. May she Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory, Amen. Thank You for this 'reaction' video.
Judith Durham’s voice is like the clearest richest sounding bells…imo ❤
Her voice is stunning
@@MertAus And she was in her 70s here. Her voice had weakened only a little with age. In fact they were all in their seventies. Her voice was distinctive and magical. And she was a genuinely nice person.
That is such a good description!
As an Aussie, this song moves me every time regardless of who sings it. It also reminds Aussies that the land and people are one, which is our Aboriginal brother’s and sister’s beliefs.
I like those beliefs that the land and people are one. I think that is something that makes Australia a very special place.
This song should be our NATIONAL ANTHEM!!!!🇦🇺🇦🇺🥂
Bruce Woodley has written a masterpiece,the Seekers sing wonderfully,as usual, but this is MAGIC ❤
Bruce Woodley (the first guy who sings) co-wrote the song with Dobe Newton of “The Bushwackers.” It’s an incredible song & the lyrics are absolutely outstanding! The female singer, Judith, recently passed. She was about 69 when she did this live performance, 10 years ago. They’re really a great band & had quite a few hits in the UK!
PS discovered & subscribed to your channel today & am already a fan of your intelligent, empathetic & insightful reactions. You seem a really nice guy.
During the whole year of Covid lockdown in Australia, our national broadcaster (ABC) filmed many different versions of this classic song, with zoom choirs and musicians across the country. Made this song even more special.
You grasped everything perfectly, but the fourth verse does contain some VERY Australian references:
'I'm a teller of stories
I'm a singer of songs (refers to the man singing the song, who also co-wrote it - Bruce Woodley)
'I am Albert Namatjira
And I paint the ghostly gums (refers to Australian Indigenous Artist Albert Namatjira; if you google his name you will see examples of his beautiful paintings)
'I'm Clancy on his horse (refers to the classic Australian Poem: Clancy of the Overflow' by AB (Banjo) Patterson)
'I'm Ned Kelly on the run (refers to the infamous bush-ranger, Ned Kelly)
'I'm the one who waltzed Matilda (refers to the beloved Australian Poem/song 'Waltzing Matilda' also by Banjo Patterson)
Banjo Patterson features on our $10 note.
Well said. I was going to say similar but you beat me to it and did a much better job than I was going to. 🙂 I’ll also add that with the descriptions of geography such as mountains and black soil plains, I feel like there’s a reference to Dorothy McKellar’s “My Country” in there as well.
Yes. It goes through some of the most significant changes/events that has made Australia what it is today. From our Indigenous Peoples, through convicts and immigrants it tells the story of the growth of a nation. To me, the last verse brings us full circle ... back to the land, something at the very heart of the First Australians, which they regard with absolute deference. They were here first, and they knew how to manage the land sustainably and respectfully. As with many Indigenous nations across the world, ours went through hell and are still recovering from generations of maltreatment and abuse. Judith had a wonderful voice. They sounded amazing together. It would be great if you reacted to some of their early stuff just to see how amazing this group was. RIP Judith. 💕
Young man, you are the only person so far that understand that the song is telling the story of Australia. Acknowledging the FIRST NATION, the European convicts and settlers then the rest of us migrating from everywhere to ALL BECOME AUSTRALIAN. Truly a beautiful song and should be played everywhere, ESPECIALLY NOW. RIP JUDITH.
I was born in aberdeen,, and i was one of many UK immigrants that came to Australia as a child. This sing really resonates with me and should be the national anthem. You described the meaning of the song to a tee.
I am australian and i feel refreshed hearing this song judith we miss you
Been living overseas for near on 20 years, and this is my go to song when I'm missing home. I might have made my life elsewhere, but I'll always be proud to be Australian.
If this song doesn't bring a tear to you eye, you must have a heart of granite, or you're a Kiwi.
Paul R
To put the Seekers into context as a world band. 1964 The Beatles had 5 number one UK hits in a row. Yes in that tumultuous time of the 60s when the Beatles were ruling the world, only 1 band stopped their run - The Seekers.
Gday Mat. Judith Durham of the Seekers sadly passed away this year. At this particular concert she was only a few months post brain haemorrhage which saw her having to relearn to play the piano and walk, read and write. She was an incredibly strong woman who gave so much to others and to the Australian music industry too.
Dr_KAP i am beginning to suspect you may be our unofficial ambassador, i see your posts in so many reaction channels advancing our talent, if it hasnt been said i will say it, you are appreciated for this, thanks
The Seekers were an Aussie institution, singing beautiful songs since the early 60's. I'm not sure when this farewell concert was exactly, I'm sure someone else will fill you in, but the lovely Judith Durham, with an angels voice, sadly passed away in August this year. I don't think there are many Aussies who don't get moved when they hear this. Thanks for your great reaction. ❤
I just checked on the original video description and it said the performance was in 2014. The fact they have they have been performing since the 60s as you mention and still performing so beautifully 50 years later just shows how talented they are. I will need to find out more about them and listen to some more of their stuff. RIP to Judith. That is so sad.
"with an angels voice" - so true, so true and so sad that she passed away this year. 🥲
Judith's beautiful voice hits me in the chest EVERY SINGLE TIME. We were so blessed to have her filling our life with her songs.
It doesn't matter how many times I hear this song, it still makes me tear up 😢, and have goosebumps. I love it because it's all inclusive of all of us, and shows the hardships that were endured to make Oz what it is today. Our sadly missed songstress Judith Durham had a voice so angelic 🤗
Read the poems My Country by Dorothea McKellar and Clancy of the Overflow by AB (Banjo) Paterson
Some Lyrics are taken from McKellar
This song tells the beginnings of our history here in Australia. A beautiful song.
‘Clancy on his horse’ was referenced in this song.
Clancy was a character written by one of our most famous poets, Andrew “Banjo” Patterson. I’ll copy and paste a poem about him here, followed by a link to a video clip, I think you’ll enjoy. The video is an excerpt from a movie series inspired by Banjo Patterson’s poem “The Man From Snowy River”, the poem is read to a bit of footage from the first movie in the series. Legend say the man from snowy river actually existed and the legend speaks to the Australian psyche… the underdog overcoming great odds. Clancy is one of the characters in The Man From Snowy River movie.
CLANCY OF THE OVERFLOW - A.B. "Banjo" Paterson
I had written him a letter which I had, for want of better knowledge,
Sent to where I met him down the Lachlan, years ago,
He was shearing when I knew him, so I sent the letter to him,
Just "on spec", addressed as follows: "Clancy, of The Overflow".
And an answer came directed in a writing unexpected,
(And I think the same was written in a thumbnail dipped in tar)
'Twas his shearing mate who wrote it, and verbatim I will quote it:
“Clancy's gone to Queensland droving, and we don't know where he are."
In my wild erratic fancy visions come to me of Clancy
Gone a-droving "down the Cooper" where the western drovers go;
As the stock are slowly stringing, Clancy rides behind them singing
For the drover's life has pleasures that the townsfolk never know.
And the bush hath friends to meet him, and their kindly voices greet him
In the murmur of the breezes and the river on its bars,
And he sees the vision splendid of the sunlit plains extended,
And at night the wondrous glory of the everlasting stars.
I am sitting in my dingy little office, where a stingy
Ray of sunlight struggles feebly down between the houses tall,
And the foetid air and gritty of the dusty, dirty city
Through the open window floating, spreads its foulness over all.
And in place of lowing cattle, I can hear the fiendish rattle
Of the tramways and the buses making hurry down the street,
And the language uninviting of the gutter children fighting,
Comes fitfully and faintly through the ceaseless tramp of feet.
And the hurrying people daunt me, and their pallid faces haunt me
As they shoulder one another in their rush and nervous haste,
With their eager eyes and greedy, and their stunted forms and weedy,
For townsfolk have no time to grow, they have no time to waste.
And I somehow fancy that I'd like to change with Clancy,
Like to take a turn at droving where the seasons come and go,
While he faced the round eternal of the cashbook and the journal -
But I doubt he'd suit the office, Clancy, of "The Overflow".
The Bulletin, 21 December 1889.
This video is just a ten minute watch. I guarantee it will give you goosebumps and you’ll probably be reacting to it next. Link to The Man From Snowy River short clip ➡️ th-cam.com/video/hlKptiofy9w/w-d-xo.html
From one Aussie to another, thanks heaps for typing that all out. One of the most quintessential Australian poems!
@@jennifermcdonald5432 you’re most welcome, lovely! 💐 I can’t take credit for typing it all out. I simply copied and pasted it. I think we all know at least the first few verses off by heart, don’t we?!
My daughter-in-law gave me a tea-towel with the whole poem printed on it. I have it hanging in the hallway
This song gives me the goosebumps whenever I hear it. I am a very proud 1st Generation Australian from Dutch Immigrants so the words "From All The Lands We Come" has a very significant meaning for me. If you can I would highly recommend finding a copy of the lyrics for this song as there is so much more in the song that you may have missed just due to perhaps not knowing the history of some of the references in the lyrics. A vast majority of Australia's have a very deep deep love for our country, not in a patriotic way as say American's have for the USA, don't get me wrong we love our flag and that, but it is the earth under our feet, the landscapes, the freedom, the multicultural population, the first Australians with their mind-blowing Art and culture, it is hard to adequately convey these feelings into words. I think that how Australia came to be is just so interesting and we were not born of a "War" for territory (I am not saying that Australia was not invaded by England when the first of many ships came, those early settlers certainly have blood on their hands and I think even now we could do much better to help our Aboriginal people) we have not had the need to battle for Independance from another Country, nor have we had a civil war to between different regions of the country. We grew out of people wanting to immigrate for a better life from all 4 corners of the globe. I love your commentary on the songs you react to, and you seem to really get the meaning for the songs. I look forward to seeing you progress on your journey to learn more about our beautiful country the good and the bad. Australians are not perfect by any means, but Australia is perfect in my humble opinion.
The black soil plains are actually called Shifting Black Soil Plains, because you cannot just build a house on it, you have to put down a gravel pad to start, and check the soil movement often, to keep your house intact. This area is very good for farming, but a hard life, keeping up. The seekers were just the guys at first, they were looking for a girl to sing with the group. Judith Durham worked in an office with one of the guys, he asked if she'd like to come to the cafe they peformed in, to see if she'd like to sing with them. That worked out well. They decided to go to the Uk, to make it big possibly. Judith was 20, had to get permission to sing on a ship to England, working the passage, with 3 strangers. When they got there, they were in demand, she didn't get back for years. When will the good apples Fall, is a great song, so are Morningtown Ride, and Georgie gIrl.
Actually the original australians, did not believe they "owned" their lands, they all as individuals, "belonged to" their tribal lands, so when they were supposed to sell their land to the white man, they had no concept of the idea. Taking them away as children, stopping them from learning their language and family stories/history, destroyed so many people. There are at least a thousand of languages among the tribes.
Australian folk. Wonderful Aussie band and hugely successful. Lots of British fans too. Rip Judith.
The Seekers had huge success in the UK in the 60’s I think. Judith Durham’s voice was exquisite. 💕💐
Rest In Peace Judith Durham. 6 hours later she suffered a brain bleed, so the tour was 'paused', She recovered and went on to finish the tour. She had such a beautiful and unique voice. She moved to the UK. We all miss her. "I AM AUSTRALIAN" should be our National Anthem.
Moves me to tears everytime. Makes me very proud to be of part convict stock. A mother steals a chook to feed her 3 small girls and get sent to Australia but not just her they send the 3 young kids on the 4 month horrendous journey with her. I come from strong line of women. Very proud to be Australian. 🇦🇺🇭🇲
❤️❤️❤️
I think your reaction is best on the internet mate the power shows it affects you much love from from Australia
Judith Durham is the woman. She'd just recovered from a stroke prior to this performance. Sadly passed away now.
I love the way you pat your heart ❤️, I've only ever seen musicians do that. That's respect 🙏 👏
This was one of the first Aussie groups to succeed overseas .
I'm American that has always been interested in Australia. This song is just about the greatest description I have ever heard. I hope your younger generation will listen to it to understand just who you are. We need a lot more of this in America also.
I absolutely ADORE watching your reactions. So proud of our ‘Aussie’ musos…..so many different nations living under our hot red sun. ❤❤
As soon as I saw your thumbnail I knew my tears would well up 😊 This song is considered an unofficial national anthem. Bruce Woodley, who wrote the song, sang the first few verses. Then Judith Durham stepped in. She had one of the most iconic voices of the 20th century. Sadly, she died a few months ago of complications from chronic illness. Their group, the Seekers (including Keith Potger and Athol Guy, who also perform here) were huge worldwide in the 60s. You should check out their live performances from the early years.
Oh how I miss Judith Durham. I adored her growing up and cried when I’d heard she’d passed. 😢😔💔🇦🇺 Lovely reaction.👍🙂
Yep, the seekers. In the 1960s they went to London and kicked arse, briefly topping the charts at number 1 with another little band at number 2 called the Beatles. Judith wanted to come home, so their fame was short lived. But they are still loved in Australia. And as many have said, this should be our anthem. It's a beautiful song. I had the honour of meeting Judith briefly at channel 7 back in the 90s when she was doing a spot. A lovely lady, still nervous at that age with all her experience. Suffice to say, she totally nailed it.
60 year old bloke here.
Couldn't make it past the 5th line without tearing up.
What a song.
Update - Judith started singing, and I'm bawling.
This happens every time I watch this clip.
Goosebumps ❤
Every time I here the seekers sing this song it brings a tear to my eyes. From Aussie.
This song makes me cry EVERY SINGLE TIME I HEAR IT! Vecause I am so damn proud to be Australian. It paints a picture of such unity. But it brings me to tears mostly because our people are constantly struggling to find that united community due to all the atrocities and pain of the past. Current generations blaming each other for events that happened 200 years ago. I pray for the day the hatred ends and we truly come together as one ❤
You bit it on the head the epitome of what it means . This is a great version of this song. the seekers were huge in the 60’s. Judith has a beautiful voice. Listen to her singing when the Carnival is Over.
Judith sadly passed away this year. She got a state funeral.
I've never seen this song not touch the soul of someone who listens to it.. beautiful.
What a masterpiece! I don't know the highest honor Australia gives its citizens, but Bruce Woodley should receive it (if he has not already received it). This American fell in love with this song as soon as it was heard. I could see this song as the national anthem--as many others have suggested. In fact, it is listed among Australia's patriotic songs.
seriously one of the best reactions I've seen to it - and you've very much tuned into exactly what the song is about - the original custodians, the British settlers, the people who have seen hard times, the culture and the country - all of that (no matter our exact path to get here) brings us together as Australians
This band is iconic. They went to Britain in the early sixties and knocked The Beatles out of the number one position in the music charts. There will never be another voice like Judith Durham who we sadly lost last year. The Seekers are another of Australias National treasures.
The Seekers! As a child of the 60s they are the sound of Australia.
National Treasures.
When he talks about Clancy and Albert Namatjira he's referring to the Arts and Literature that have shaped Australia - they included everything from the people the Land and what is the cultural heart of Australia as well.
I was so moved by watching your reaction while watching and listening to the words. The stories told in this song have been repeated many times, recently in our history the bushfires around our country and the unimaginable lose of human and animal life, lively-hoods, natural bush land. And very recently and continuing floods. The Aussie battler never gives up, but it's heart breaking. That you understood what they were saying and being able to recount the tales impressed me very much. Thank you for this video. You have a new subscriber. Cheers
He’s singing about the history of Australia and it started with our first nation’s people
A beautiful story of Australia! Amazing performance by the Seekers, especially Judith Durham (RIP). She has an angelic voice!
As an Aussie, I truly wish our national anthem gave me goose bumps the way this song always does.
Yes, the verses reflect different aspects of australia's history.
1st verse is from an Aboriginal perspective
2nd verse is from a Convict perspective
3rd verse is from a Settlers Perspective.
4th verse is about Australian Singers, Writers, Artists and Folk heros
5th verse is about the Land, Floods and Droughts
Unfortunately the lady with the magnificent voice, Judith Durham, died on 5 August 2022 (age 79) from a chronic degenerative lung disease from which she suffered from 4 years of age. Her passing is a great loss to the world and in particular to Australia.
I always love peoples reaction when Judith breaks into song.
I love this song because it’s inclusive. So many of us came from elsewhere, but we all belong.
I love your reactions, it shows you really feel the heart of what is being presented. Bottom line you truly get it. Well done👏
The fourth verse is my favourite, as it references our cultural icons.
Albert Namatjirra was an indigenous artist famous for his landscapes, in particular the gum trees. Clancy on his horse is a reference to poet and author Banjo Patterson, who wrote the Man From Snowy River and Waltzing Matilda (and Clancy was a recurring character in his works), Ned Kelly was our most famous bushranger, and Waltzing Matilda is in our blood.
It’s wonderful that you knew so much of the history that is the story of this song. It would mean so much more. Your insight into the deeper meanings of the song were very impressive. The fourth verse is the folklore and culture of Australia. Albert Namatjira was an artist who stepped away from traditional indigenous style to paint with a realistic style where he captured the uniquely Australian light better than any of the European artists of the time. The song refers to some of his most famous paintings of the ghost gum trees of Australia. Ned Kelly you may have heard of, an infamous bushranger, leader of the Kelly gang, who wore crude armour with a distinctive metal helmet. Clancy on his horse is from the poem Clancy of the Overflow by our most famous poet, A.B.Banjo Paterson. The one who waltzed Matilda comes from the iconic Australian song Waltzing Matilda, a poem, also written by Banjo Paterson, later set to music. Matilda is the swag - possessions rolled and tied up, a stick poked through, carried over the shoulder. It would sway (waltz) as the swagman (itinerant worker) walked along.
We learnt this song in primary school and it's just such a wonderful song for kids to be exposed to as it encompasses how multiculturalism makes our country what it is today so teaches kids about how we are all Australian no matter where we were born or what we look like.
I love that it includes the beauty of nature of Australia.
Honestly when you love in Australia & experience the various devastating weather patterns we are exposed to you can only but appreciate this Earth for all she goes through. The uniqueness of our flora, the lines such as "The Rivers when They Run" just have so much meaning to us especially going through drought for so many years & the bushfires on the back of the drought to now where much of Australia that suffered through years of drought have been putting up with 2yrs of constant rain including flooding again & again.
We can only but respect this land and appreciate her for her uniqueness and toughness. I reckon Aussie Bushies are some of the toughest people on Earth with what they experience time and again.
You cannot get a purer voice than Judith Durham's. I could listen to her voice forever.
The Seekers were a 60s folk group who had many hits. They eclipsed the beatles and The Rolling stones. Judith Durham ( died recently) had a great voice to the end. The Carnival is Over is worth reacting to, also many Seekers songs. They were Australian great . ( BTW I worked in a guitar shop and taught Keith Potger how to string a 12 string at age 13 but with short string ends -) . I can't think of an Australian who doesn't love their sound. Cheers- come down under, it's a 7 hour flight from kuala Lumpur. You'll love Australia.
Judith Durham (1943 - 2022) was Australia's first pop princess in the 1960s (most people react as you did on hearing her voice for the first time), before she left the Seekers in 1968 - look at their earlier work, freely available on TH-cam;
"When the Beatles and the Stones divided households, the Seekers united them."
They got back together in 1993 for a farewell concert which tuned into a 2-year World Tour - this footage is from their 2014 50th Anniversary concert. In 1968, they played the Meyer Music Bowl in their native Melbourne, to an audience of 200,000 - a record for the Southern Hemisphere which still stands.
Bruce Woodley (Male lead) co-wrote this song in the '70s, but Judith was born to sing the female part.
The 40,000 years has now been proven to be 65,000 years.
Judith was the lead singer. She was left with a lung disease from having measles as a child and that is why she died. She had just recovered from a bad stroke before this Farewell tour but nothing ever changed her voice. Even her marriage was hard because her husband had Motor Neuron Disease. Judith left the Seeker’s to make albums for this charity. As you can see she went back when needed. We lost her the same time as we lost Olivia Newton John and they were both loved and both missed.
The seekers were known around the world. They had number one hits in England this song along with the Peter Allen song used by QANTAS are our songs. Try some younger Seekers hits like The Carnival is Over or GeorgieGirl. Anything they sang was great. The Aboriginal people are still recognised as the first owners of the land. We thank them before just about anything for sharing it. The specific people of each area. My two sons belong to two different people because they worked with them and really cared for them. We also made sure they grew up with them at school and as friends. Like I did. Thank you for playing and reacting to this, it is all of what Australia was and is.
That is so sad about Judith and Olivia. So tragic to lose two such special people in such a short period of time. This was a wonderful piece of music. I really like it showed appreciation for every person who makes up Australia.
@@MertAus maybe find, I Still Call Australia Home, it was originally written and sung by Peter Allen. These day's it's often used by Qantas airlines.
And we lost Uncle Archie at around the same time was a sad time for Australian music buffs
Judith had suffered a stroke the year before this tour, which I believe is why she is sitting down. It affected her ability to read & write, both visual language & musical scores, but not her singing. I’ve loved The Seekers from their beginning, & was so sad when Judith passed away in August 2022. This song is one of my favourites, & easily brings a tear to the eye. ❤️🇦🇺
Love watching your reaction when Judith first sings she was pitch perfect . Now she has passed this year August 5th .. love the seekers thanks for sharing and hope you go on and enjoy more of their music ... Poets all of them cheers Mate
Many of us Aussies think this should be our national anthem it goes straight to the heart, it includes all of us here, it doesn't matter what your place of origin your an Aussie now the same as all of us. For we are one but we are many and from all the lands on earth we come. RIP JD
It's a shame we have lost her beautiful voice, when I was young Judith was every Teenager dream, a beautiful young Lady and that voice, she will be missed but not forgotten. ❤
This is the history of the land and the people in song that is an anthem to all Australians new and old. Proud Aussie!
Australia is a living, breathing beautiful, harsh, spectacular and unforgiving land. ❤🇦🇺
It is a fantastic song, so inclusive. It is definitely heart stirring, even looked like you were getting patriotic and you're not even Aussie....yet🤣.
Oh Judith Durham and the Seekers were world wide stars in the 60s and 70s.... HUGE!! Judith's voice is phenomenal.
yet hehe we can adopt him cant we?
@@iancremmins4727 ofc he would fit right in 👍
Hi Matt, I’m really enjoying your channel and enthusiasm. If you genuinely want to hear more about the Australian Aboriginal perspective listen to Solid Rock by Goanna and Treaty by Yothu Yindi. Perhaps even Beds Are Burning by Midnight Oil as well. Keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll forever have Australians following your journey.
The fellow who started singing - Bruce Woodley - is the person who wrote the song.
I swear it’s one of my absolute favourite things on the internet: that look of shock on people’s faces when they hear Judith’s glorious voice for the first time. It’s such a quintessentially Australian thing that we love to introduce people to the best things, as well as try to pull their legs about drop bears and the like.
Thank you so much for understanding the truth behind the song. It goes through the motions and stages of history... You reflected respectfully. I cry every time xx
Thank you for this. Im not aboriginal myself but live in a country area with a high population of aboriginal people, many are good friends of mine in fact theres a family right next door whose daughter is school friends with my son. They are wonderful people and the first verse describes their history perfectly.
What i do have personally is irish and british descent (and some german). My paternal grandfathers, grandfather (if that makes sense) was a policeman on one of these convict ships, he then bought a farm which my uncle, his wife, 2 sons and families still run today with a big dairy operation in south australia.
As many have already said the seekers are amazing, watching some of their videos is how i ended up here on your channel (which is awesome ive spent a lot of today watching your videos). These 4 members formed the band as we know it back in 1962 (my parents werent even born) as basically teenagers, they split up for 25 years or so and reformed in the early 90s and were still active until judith passed away last year but what an incredible 60 years they have given us. If you look them up youll find some very young videos of the same 4 members from the 60s. Even here they were in their 70s and had not lost any performance.
And the song itself i just cant get enough of it, Bruce Woodley (the other lead singer here) wrote the song while the band were separated, around 1987 from memory but they absolutely nailed every part of what our country is made of in each verse.
I'm so glad you got the meaning of all the versus. I'm 100% Australian born with ancestors from many regions throughout Europe but one of my first ancestors here was a convict from Scotland. I'm sure you can relate when I say it's that DNA that causes me to get goosebumps and to tear up over a bagpipe.
Make me cry with pride every time I hear this song.
A digger was originally those who came to dig for gold in the 1850s. 'Digger" is now used to describe soldiers. They dug trenches in WW1 so "digger" transferred. I have convict ancestors & their grandsons went to fight in WW1 for the UK.
My dad was a bushman. As were his family
Great reaction.
Play this song to an Aussie and they will move a Mountain if they had to. Glad you liked it.
I'm English, and I LOVE this Song. SO BEAUTIFUL. 🇬🇧🇭🇲🇬🇸🌏🎶💕
The Seekers were around in the 60s and were great then. They had a concert at the , bloody cant remember now. It was a music bowl in Melbourne. There were a hundred thousand people there. 1966 or 67. We were told that many people were there, we ended up in a boat on the Yarra river and could hear them. Amazing.
When I was in primary school I sang this in the school choir, it still brings back memories.
Wow mate,you got it. Thank you.
A digger is what we call soldiers, so she's singing I'm a daughter of a digger (soldier) who sort the motherload meaning her father fought in WW1 in Gallipoli. A bushy is someone from the bush or anyone outside of the city & urban areas. A Battler is a description of all Aussie thru all eras of time. Where life is a big struggle in a wild & untamed land where everything happens to try & destroy u like natural disasters like droughts, floods & bushfires which are normal parts of our lives but after the battle we then start again. It's telling u how resilient of a people we are & even tho it tries to tear us down & destroy us that we always fight back & after the battle we come back bigger & better
Mate loved your reaction. So many people that aren't Australian don't really understand this song apart from the chorus. You definitely get it all. Appreciated.
The song reflects the timeline in the history of Australia. In the first verse, it tells of the first people; who came to Australia, over 50,000 years ago(the oldest living and continuing inhabitants anywhere in the world). The second verse, tells of the establishment of Australia; firstly through convicts, and then free settlers. The third verse talks the battlers, that strove to tame the land; in difference to the indigenous people, who worked with the land. The chorus tells of how Australia evolved, through migrant population; how, even though we came from different cultures, we are coming together as one. The fourth verse tells who we are, and those that changed our ways; Albert Namajira is the first globally recognized indigenous artist, and it talks about our folklore. The fifth verse talks about the land and climate, we endured; it describes the wonder and the beauty of our great land. The second refrain of the chorus, reinforces who we are; as a nation.
The frequent claim that Australian Aboriginal culture is the oldest continuous culture on Earth, measured at 50,000 years, is a curious one. It is incorrect. This title belongs to the San people, who have existed for at least 150,000 years in southern Africa.
If you are prepared to love this land and work for your place in it, we are prepared to welcome and embrace you. That IS Australia in a nutshell. For me the tears always start to fall when he starts singing about the convict ships. That is how my maternal family arrived here, as first fleet convicts. Arriving in chains they were part of the first group to settle Norfolk Island, they married there and started a family there that today is thought to include 1 in every 6 Aussies through one line of descent or another. His name was Nathaniel Lucas and from chains he became the carpenter general of NSW, she was Olivia Gascoyne, sentenced to death for petty theft and her sentence commuted to transportation for life. EVERY Aussie family has their own story of how they came to be Australian.......
Us Aussies seem to have a deep connection to the land, when I travel the thing I really miss is the smell of the bush. The only other place where I felt that connection was the Highlands of Scotland, ( my father was from Aberdeenshire)
Love this song and so proud of who we are as multicultural nation . ❤️❤️❤️ Aussie
No Aussie can remain unaffected.
RIP Beautiful Judith Durham.🕊️
Probably one of the most impactful songs in Australian music history, we used to sing this song during primary school, especially in the countryside (I don't know if they do that anymore).
Many people even cry when they hear this song. It's a very precious part of our culture.
These are The Seekers, an Australian folk-pop group, who were famous around the world, in the 1960s and 1970s, with Number one hits, singing our unofficial national anthem. The lady, Judith Durham went on to have a career in singing jazz. Many of us only recently found out that she had a chronic lung disease which resulted from childhood measles and finally resulted in her death this year. Judith was given a state funeral in Melbourne where she lived.
The first nations people have been here for much longer than forty thousand years, it has been found, after this song was written. They are the oldest peoples/culture on earth and believe that they are part of the land.
Convicts, free settlers and the military first came to Australia. Many of the convicts had committed minor crimes but were given harsh sentences due to the legal and class system in the countries of Britain.(Serious crimes were punished by hanging in Britain.)
We have had two depressions in Oz, in the1920s and 1930s. This resulted in certain banking regulations to prevent a depression happening again.