Best Australia Day song ever! I've always found 'I Still Call Australia Home' rather meaningless to those of us who live here all the time, especially young children. 'Shelter' is a stirring beautiful song that suits all Australians, whatever our age. Let's all learn it, sing it and thank Eric Bogle for his inspiring lyrics and heartfelt performances. Regardless of present realities, this is a song of hopes, dreams and aspirations. It's inspirational. It moves me every time. This song means so much more to me than saving the queen ever did while I was growing up in Oz!
Shelter so deeply expresses my own feelings that I put it as the first page in my book "Down Under All Over; A Love Affair with Australia""....Many years ago I sang it to the 400 people at my citizenship ceremony in Nambour.
i first heard this song when i was boy, covered by john williamson. i knew then as i know now, twenty years later, that is our song. perhaps when we find a flag that truly defines us, we'll sing this song together as well.
It is funny how it often takes an immigrant to really appreciate a country that natives take for granted. About 20 some years back it was an East Indian Dr that resurected the Canada Day Parade in Montreal.
@rdvqc You obviously have never experienced Anzac day or an Australia Day celebration. Attend one of the many dawn services on the 25th April or join in an Australia day bbq/party/activity/etc on the 26th of January and see how many people appreciate this great country.
@kitwalker2006 I would love to experience Anzac day - problem is being on wrong side of the globe. I have attended many Veteran's Day (previously know as Amristice Day) on November 11th each year in Canada. We still mark the occasion on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month selected since it is the anniversary of the WWi amrmstice. I still maintain the point than many of us do not appreciate our countries as much as some immigrants. OTOH - Eric can also lampoon Oz
Such a beautiful song, but so totally unrealistic about latter-day Australia. We don't welcome the restless and the weary any more. We send them to third world countries and lock them up in hell holes. I used to love this song, thought it described us well, thought it could be our national anthem. Unfortunately I was young and naive and very, very wrong.
That is just so we can call Australia Home, free from the problems some of the people you want to come here bring with them. We have welcomed millions of good people here, ones that followed proper process and in a time when we need their skills. Assault, robbery, disrespect of laws, terrorism not being a characteristic of their lives.
Best Australia Day song ever! I've always found 'I Still Call Australia Home' rather meaningless to those of us who live here all the time, especially young children. 'Shelter' is a stirring beautiful song that suits all Australians, whatever our age. Let's all learn it, sing it and thank Eric Bogle for his inspiring lyrics and heartfelt performances. Regardless of present realities, this is a song of hopes, dreams and aspirations. It's inspirational. It moves me every time. This song means so much more to me than saving the queen ever did while I was growing up in Oz!
Shelter so deeply expresses my own feelings that I put it as the first page in my book "Down Under All Over; A Love Affair with Australia""....Many years ago I sang it to the 400 people at my citizenship ceremony in Nambour.
Thanks cobber
i first heard this song when i was boy, covered by john williamson. i knew then as i know now, twenty years later, that is our song. perhaps when we find a flag that truly defines us, we'll sing this song together as well.
RIP John Munro
It is funny how it often takes an immigrant to really appreciate a country that natives take for granted. About 20 some years back it was an East Indian Dr that resurected the Canada Day Parade in Montreal.
I had a few beers with Eric when he came twice to Hong Kong for the folk festival there, many years ago. A top fellow.
I love my country! These songs do stir up something inside as all patriotic songs do.
Thanks for this lovely song about Australia.
I love this song and its ideas
John Williamson or Eric Bogle - a powerful song beautifully sung.
I love this song
should be our national anthem...
@rdvqc You obviously have never experienced Anzac day or an Australia Day celebration. Attend one of the many dawn services on the 25th April or join in an Australia day bbq/party/activity/etc on the 26th of January and see how many people appreciate this great country.
@kitwalker2006 I would love to experience Anzac day - problem is being on wrong side of the globe. I have attended many Veteran's Day (previously know as Amristice Day) on November 11th each year in Canada. We still mark the occasion on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month selected since it is the anniversary of the WWi amrmstice.
I still maintain the point than many of us do not appreciate our countries as much as some immigrants. OTOH - Eric can also lampoon Oz
Such a beautiful song, but so totally unrealistic about latter-day Australia. We don't welcome the restless and the weary any more. We send them to third world countries and lock them up in hell holes. I used to love this song, thought it described us well, thought it could be our national anthem. Unfortunately I was young and naive and very, very wrong.
all my life I have always wanted to live in Australia. I have relatives in Sydney now i'm too darn old, they won't let me now.
That is just so we can call Australia Home, free from the problems some of the people you want to come here bring with them. We have welcomed millions of good people here, ones that followed proper process and in a time when we need their skills. Assault, robbery, disrespect of laws, terrorism not being a characteristic of their lives.
the song actually expresses the wish "to the homeless and the hungry MAY YOU ALWAYS open doors" - it doesn't say we do it.