So this week I had to teach the National Anthem to some kids. (Actually, I did this last week too…) It’s a really good version, with an excellent backing track – a local Elder has written a version in Dharawal and Dharug, and then we sing the song in English.

Last week was really special. The Uncle who wrote the first verse came in to talk to the kids, to speak about the words he’d chosen, and his inspiration. It was really lovely – everyone was engaged, and respectful. And boy, did they sing!

This week wasn’t so special. Well, the start was. We sang the verse we’d learned last week. Again, fabulous singing. And then I started teaching the English version. And things started to get uncomfortable. Kids stopped singing. Lots of people looked at the floor. It all got really uncomfortable. A few little people got upset. We stopped singing and started talking. About how it was okay not to sing. It was not okay to be disrespectful, but it was okay to not sing these words. The choice is yours.

I know this is not going to change. Well, not soon. And that makes me sad. Because this song divides people. It makes people uncomfortable. It makes children have to make decisions they shouldn’t have to in a music lesson.

I know there will be people that say to me ‘Oh, it doesn’t hurt anyone.’ Or, ‘We’ve sung it for years, so why change?’ But the same used to be said for smoking. And if it doesn’t hurt anyone, then why can’t we change it?

So, after our discussion, we tried the whole song. We stood to sing. The first verse of the song is outstanding. And then most of these beautiful kids made their choice. They stood, and were respectfully silent. And for the final line of the song, in Dharawal and Dharug, they sang again.

Now, I am overworked at the moment, and practising a lot. My emotions are close to the surface. I found these little people hugely inspiring. And those kids showed me a few things. That many young people don’t like these words. That they will choose to do something about it. And that when our country is in their hands, I hope it’s changed.

In my opinion, it can’t be done soon enough.