Australia’s Wattle songs – lyrics and music

27 Aug. 2019 Photo: Courtesy of Mr Paul Berry. Government House

Australia’s Wattle Songs

Download a recording of Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley singing and playing her composition

‘The Wattle Song’ (July 2020) on piano.

For the Score (Words and Music)

‘The Wattle Song’ – lyrics

In Spring the Wattle blooms and winter now is passed
The golden buds appear we hope that they will last
For many thousand years first peoples saw the glow
A symbol of our nation its beauty is on show

Short Break

Walking in the sunshine you see it everywhere
Birds above are nesting and singing without care
In brooches and in artwork the yellow blossom gleams
A still gold light in nature a symbol of our dreams

Australians gather round and take this beauty in
The wattle is so gentle and dreams within begin
It is our leading beacon the wattle beams so bright
Go out and have a look it makes our hearts feel right

‘The Wattle Song’ Lyrics, music and melody score
by Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley © 2020

 

Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley

Her Excellency was inspired to write this song after the celebration for National Wattle Day in 2019 at Government House. As part of the celebration His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) gave a speech about the meaning of National Wattle Day and he said:

“Wattle Day is all about appreciating wattle and celebrating what it is, and means, to be Australian.

It is a day to appreciate how fortunate we are.

A day to remember that we are strongest and at our best when we look out for our neighbours and when we respect and care for each other.”

Their Excellencies receiving a basket of wattle from Duffy Primary School students
on behalf of all of Australia’s school children
27 Aug. 2019 Photo: Courtesy of Mr Paul Berry. Government House

‘Where the Wattles Bloom’ by Jim Williams (2012)

‘Wattle Day Song’ by David and Jan Raff (1999)

‘Golden Wattle’  Lyrics Denis Kevans Music: Sonia Bennett (1999)

Via Youtube

There’s Gold Here in the Wattle by Cathy Welsford & Angie Smith

‘The Wattle’ by Jim Low (early 1970s)

Lyrics and sheet music for some of these songs are available further down this page – please scroll down.

Turner Primary School students singing a wattle song
Photo: Brian Goggin

 

Wattle Day Song

Chorus
We’re proud to wear the Green and Gold,
Live the Spirit of Australia,
We welcome Spring on Wattle Day,
From coast to coast, let’s all say G’Day.

The wattle lies dormant through winter months,
Building her strength for the Spring to come,
When life bursts forth in golden sprays,
Let’s get together ’round Australia and say….

At the drop of a hat we’ll celebrate,
Go out in the bush with our BBQ plate,
If someone’s in need, we’ll help them out,
Let’s get together ’round Australia and shout….

The wattle shows a way we can live our lives,
An expression of hope, through fire and flood it thrives,
By working together we can beat the odds,
Aussie friendship and courage what more could we want….

©1999 David Raff and Jan Raff, Canberra ACT Australia

Download to listen to the MP3 recording of David and Jan singing their Wattle Day song

 

If you want to purchase a CD for $AUS20.00 containing a
recording of the song and a backing track (no vocals) which
can be used to accompany children when they perform, and
a page of sheet music consisting of a melody line and guitar chords,
please contact Mr and Mrs D. J. Raff by email.

Click here also for David & Jan Raff’s sheet music for the Wattle Day Song.

 

Where the Wattles Bloom

Words and Music: Jim Williams © 2012

You can rest at ease ‘neath the blooming trees,
on a Springtime day smell the perfumed leaves.

Hear the white birds cry, see the white clouds fly,
from range to range through an azure sky.

You can find your space in the meeting place

There will always be room Where the Wattles Bloom.

See the sparkling snow, hear the river flow,
from the mountain top to the plains below.

You can find your space in the meeting place

There will always be room Where the Wattles Bloom.

Watch the heavens toss, see the silver gloss,
of the shining stars of the Southern Cross.

You can find your space in the meeting place

There will always be room Where the Wattles Bloom.

See the rainbow shawl, hear the welcome call
of the ancient home of the Ngunnawal

You can find your space in the meeting place

There will always be room Where the Wattles Bloom.

In this timeless land, there’s a welcome hand
From the white capped waves to the blood red sand.

You can find your space in the meeting place

There will always be room Where the Wattles Bloom.

 

Download to listen to MP3 recording of Jim Williams playing his song on guitar.

Download to listen to MP3 recording of organ version (no voices)

Sheet music and words for a children’s choir

Sheet music for piano to accompany children’s choir

 

Golden Wattle

Lyrics: Denis Kevans Music: Sonia Bennett

Golden the wattle, that spreads through this land,
Golden the wattle, to hold in your hand.
Golden the haze from the full wattle trees,
Golden the mornings with Spring on the breeze.

Smile lovely wattle, now smile on my face,
Smile for the hope that I hope to retrace.
Smile for the whistler who’s joyous in song,
Smile for the mornings that Spring brings along.

Dance lovely wattle, now dance in the breeze.
Dance with the blossoms hung down to your knees.
Dance in the noon of the hot burning day.
Dance as the evening falls memories away.

Instrumental verse

Golden the wattle, that spreads through this land,
Golden the wattle, to hold in your hand.
Golden the haze from the full wattle trees,
Golden the mornings with Spring on the breeze.
Golden the mornings with Spring on the breeze.

© Denis Kevans –  lyrics and Sonia Bennett – music.

Download to listen to MP3 recording of the ‘Golden Wattle’ (© APRA 1999)

Singer Sonia Bennett on guitar is backed by ‘Loosely Woven’ and a choir, with Samantha O’Brien plays the flute flute for the instrumental verse.

	Denis Kevans	Sonia Bennett

You can download the musics and the lyrics by clicking on the links below

© ‘Golden Wattle’ – lyrics and music
© ‘Golden Wattle’  – lyrics by Denis Kevans

 

‘The Wattle’ by Jim Low (early 1970s)

Lyrics

Colouring the bushland with yellow blaze
You warm the last of winter’s days
Bending with your weight of gold
The promise of springtime you unfold.

Chorus
We love to see you wattle tree
You warm our days with your golden rays
Your fluffy flowers smell so sweet It’s you we sing of and it’s you we greet.
You’ve watched our country from the start
You’ve brightened many a weary heart The pioneer farmer on his own
The tired drover going home. (repeat chorus)

 

Jim Low sings ‘The Wattle’ on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrmobSBQmZU

Recorded in 2013 and originally composed in the early 1970s.

Website: http://simplyaustralia.net website: http://jimlow.net

 

‘Gold in the Wattle’

Enjoy this original song, singing and ukulele playing by ‘The Wild Women of Anywhere Beach’, otherwise known as Cathy (Fast Fingers) Welsford and Angie (Random Chords) Smith.

Hear it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_Wgm8cYpDY&feature=youtu.be (2 August 2019)
This song is available on their “Keep Laughing, Seriously’ CD.