The mention of National Anthems reminds me that I've never been bothered to learn "Advance Australia Fair" as the line "for we are young and free" seems not to apply to those born before the change from "God save the Queen." Worse, for someone used to playing for dances, its opening bars are the same as those for the eponymous tune for Waves of Tory.

It used to be traditional in Australia for an evening's entertainment to be concluded with the National Anthem. With both Higgins and Flying Pieman I got into the habit of starting to play what appeared to be Advance Australia Fair but rollick it up to dance speed with the Waves of Tory. Now that I have to attend my daughters' school assemblies I'm much better behaved; I still don't sing it (while they do both verses) but can't repress a silly grin at the possible effect of such a tune change on the formalities.

Cheers, Rowan