"God Defend New Zealand"

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 48, 14 June 1929, Page 6

"God Defend New Zealand"

Broadcast by 3YA: Interesting Facts ON Friday evening, June 14, the Valencia Quartet of 3YA will sing "God : Defend New Zealand, " the words of which were written by Thomas Bracken, and the music composed by John J. Woods, of Lawrence, Otago. In a recent letter to a Christchurch paper, in answer to a correspondent’s . inquiry, Mr. Woods tells the history of the anthem and how he came to set the words to music. ‘This was done in the ’seventies. Mr. Woods writes: "The ‘Saturday Advertiser,’ a leading Dunedin weekly, offered a substantial prize-open to all New Zealand musicians-for the best ‘musical composition’ to Bracken’s words contained in the anthem "God Defend New Zealand.’ In order to prevent favouritism the music was judged separately by each of the judges, Messrs. Zelman, Zeplin, and Siede, of Australia, who were, aS you may be xware, three of the most eminent musicians in the Southern Hemisphere. Although judging separately and independently of each other, the three judges unanimously awarded me the prize. "The copyright-both of music and words-was conveyed to me by deed by the late Mr. Bracken on behalf of the ‘Saturday Advertiser.’ "T, as composer, wrote the music of the composition specially to suit mass singing: that is, for church congregations and other public gatherings, but more especially for school children, to be sung either in unison or as harmonised. The harmonies, you will notice, are simple, but. most. effective. "Chas. Begg & Co. (musical publishers) have issued several editions of the anthem, and also have a gramophone record of it sung by Peter Dawson and chorus (London), on the reverse side of the record being the late Prime Minister, W. F. Massey’s ‘Empire Speech.’ "By command of Queen Victoria a copy of the anthem was lodged at Buckingham Palace, and also played by the naval bands. It was also freely sung in America and elsewhere. It is also freely sung in the south of Otago, ete., and Bishop Whyte (Roman Catholic bishop) issued instructions for it to be sung in all the Catholic diocesan schools."