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Thread ID: 116367	2011-03-01 00:27:00	OT - Words to our National Anthem	WalOne (4202)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1182538	2011-03-01 00:27:00	I've lived in NZ off and on for around 50 years. Patriotic to the core to my adopted homeland, for the very first time I heard the full version of our National Anthem today. It was broadcast on Newstalk ZB following today's 2 minute silence for the people of Christchurch. Until today, I'd always regarded the anthem as a dirge to end all dirges. But no more. Here's the words God of nations! at Thy feet In the bonds of love we meet, Hear our voices, we entreat, God defend our Free Land. Guard Pacific's triple star, From the shafts of strife and war, Make her praises heard afar, God defend New Zealand Men of ev'ry creed and race Gather here before Thy face, Asking Thee to bless this place, God defend our Free Land. From dissension, envy, hate, And corruption guard our State, Make our country good and great, God defend New Zealand. Peace, not war, shall be our boast, But, should foes assail our coast, Make us then a mighty host, God defend our Free Land. Lord of battles in thy might, Put our enemies to flight, Let our cause be just and right, God defend New Zealand. Let our love for Thee increase, May Thy blessings never cease, Give us plenty, give us peace, God defend our Free Land. From dishonour and from shame Guard our country's spotless name Crown her with immortal fame, God defend New Zealand. May our mountains ever be Freedom's ramparts on the sea, Make us faithful unto Thee, God defend our Free Land. Guide her in the nations' van, Preaching love and truth to man, Working out Thy Glorious plan, God defend New Zealand.	WalOne (4202)
1182539	2011-03-01 00:30:00	awesome Walone, ive never read them all either, thanks	Gobe1 (6290)
1182540	2011-03-01 00:31:00	Yeah Classic Hits played the same thing. It's pretty massive actually. The lyrics are quite good for the most part.	wratterus (105)
1182541	2011-03-01 00:31:00	Ditto, never heard all that before	rob_on_guitar (4196)
1182542	2011-03-01 00:32:00	Hum, last time had to recite it was at school some 15 years ago... And I distinctly remember them making us include some Maori verses in it... I always thought that's what it actually/officially was... :(	Cato (6936)
1182543	2011-03-01 00:38:00	Can someone please tell me what "Pacific's triple star" means? Is it the three biggest islands of NZ (in which case tough lines on the Chathams, Great Barrier etc)? Or?	John H (8)
1182544	2011-03-01 00:40:00	Can someone please tell me what "Pacific's triple star" means? Is it the three biggest islands of NZ (in which case tough lines on the Chathams, Great Barrier etc)? Or? Australia :D Good question though.	WalOne (4202)
1182545	2011-03-01 00:41:00	Good question - this is by no means reliable but it's what Wikipedia says: There is some discussion, with no official explanation, of the meaning of "Pacific's triple star". Unofficial explanations range from New Zealand's three biggest islands (North, South, and Stewart Island/Rakiura), the three stars on the shield of the New Zealand Anglican Church to the three stars on the flag of Te Kooti (a Māori political and religious leader of the 19th century).[6] Another explanation is that Bracken was referring to Alpha Centauri, the brightest triple-star system in the southern constellation of Centaurus, but this seems dubious since that system's third star (Proxima Centauri) was not discovered until 1915. There is also a joke that the phrase "Pacific's Triple Star" refers to the three stars on the Speight's beer logo, and T-shirts can be purchased especially in the South Island with the line "Guard Pacific's Triple Star" above the three Speight's stars. In favour of the first explanation: At the time Bracken was writing, New Zealand was perceived as composed of three principal islands. In his "Australia and New Zealand", published in 1873, the English writer Anthony Trollope wrote that the colony "consists of the North Island, the Middle Island, and Stewart Island".	Siobhan Keogh (16063)
1182546	2011-03-01 00:53:00	My understanding was that it meant New Zealand's three main islands. However, unless we can confirm with Thomas Bracken, it can't be confirmed. I know all the verses. When I was at school we sang them all. We used to get told off if we weren't singing loud enough. I'm not sure whether the pc mob have arrogantly decided to take it upon themselves to overturn that sort of thing. Sung well enough it doesn't have to sound like a dirge.	Marnie (4574)
1182547	2011-03-01 00:56:00	Thanks Siobhan. Seems to make sense to me. It has always confused me because of the Southern Cross being on our flag, which has more than three stars.	John H (8)
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