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National Anthem
The New Englander is a patriotic hymn, and the national anthem of New England. The original score was known as the Battle Song of New England, and was composed by Ulrich Ellis with the arrangement by Joy Harvie in 1952. The anthem is recognised as the official anthem by the Official Symbols Act 2013.
The tune was largly forgotten until the Civil War, when it was revived as a tune to give the troops of the United Militia something to sing to and to work towards. It was quickly banned in areas under Commonwealth control, along with the New England flag, but after the war ended, it was quickly adopted as New England's anthem.
History
The history of the tune, like so many of New England's official symbols, can be attributed to Ulrich Ellis. With the assistance if Joy Harvie, Ellis composed the tune in about 1952. The score was published and distrubuted across New England by the New State Movement throughout the 1950s and 60s. No recordings of the tune survive from this time, but the original sheet music has survived and was re-recorded during the Civil War.
The tune proved to be the most popular of the many songs written during the war. It was banned by the Australians as a subversive and seditious article in 2007. Several civilias were charged by the Australians after they were found to be either singing the tune, or had sheet music in their possession. All subsquently exhonestrted after independence by the New England government.
During the conventions debating the consititution, several hours of debate was taken up disccussing the future natuional anthem of New England. Several tunes, including The New Englander were debated, as was a proposal to commission an entirely new tune. The final vote endosed The New Englander by a large margin. It was formally approved in the constitutional convention of February 2012.
Performances
When sung in public, it is normal for only the first verse and chorus to be sung. Only on special occasions are additional verses sung, of which the fourth is the most popular. As all verses are officially part of the national anthem, the choice of which part is to be sung is always left up to those organising the event in question.
Lyrics
1. Everywhere we hear a rousing song
Half a million people march along
New England is decreed
From the Hunter to the Tweed
Our cause is justly strong
Chorus. We will raise the
Banner of New England
Work for New England
Fight for New England
We will raise the
Battle cry of freedom
Fight for our Liberty
2. Buccarumbi to Coraki
On the mountains you will hear the cry
Out upon the plain
You will hear it sung again
At Collarenebri
3. From the western borders to the sea
Tamworth links her fortunes with Taree
Thy join us in the fray
On the Hunter and Macleay
New England will be free
4. Where the Clarence sparkles in the sun
Where the Northern Rivers swifty run
Where the Gwydir flows
By the cold Ben Lomond snows
Our Victories will be won
5. Soft Pacific breezes on the shore
Drive the fleecy breakers to a roar
Multiply and rise
Till they echo in the skies
They sing for evermore
Words and Melody by Ulrich Ellis
Arranged by Joy Harvie
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