I am Australian

"I Am Australian" is a popular Australian song written in 1987 by Bruce Woodley of The Seekers and Dobe Newton of The Bushwackers. Its lyrics are filled with many historic and cultural references, such as to the Aborigines, the digger, the convicts that came from Great Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries, Albert Namatjira (an Aboriginal painter) and Ned Kelly ( a bushranger and outlaw), among others. It has become a patriotic song and has been considered as an alternative to the Australian National Anthem. 

"I am Australian" is popular at celebrations such as Australia Day (January 26th)and New Year's Day. The lyrics celebrate the diversity of Australian society.

 Chorus:
We are one but we are many
And from all the lands on earth we come
We share a dream and sing with one voice
I am You are We are Australian

 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 shore I watched the tall ships come For forty thousand years I'd been The first Australian 

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

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

 I'm a teller of stories I'm a singer of songs I am Albert Namajera 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 the great land I am Australian