Aussie Jingle Bells

I'm sitting in the waiting room at RPA Fracture Clinic, hoping for the all clear on my arm that I broke back in September while I was in Maine, USA at my good friend's wedding. I was NOT dancing on the tables! Although that would have made for a funnier story. I broke the distal radius off completely and into 5 pieces. Not good news for a practical gal!

I wanted to share this version of Jingle Bells with you. It's so Australian and really makes me laugh. Growing up, there weren't many Australian Christmas songs. Most are all about snow and white Christmases etc which doesn't really make sense for us living in the southern hemisphere.

My kids love this song and it really sums up a lot Australian Christmas days. Kids swimming in the pool while the oldies have a snooze. I'm hoping it actually gets hot enough for us to swim on Christmas day as it's been a pretty miserable summer so far. The lyrics are at the bottom of my post.

I'd best translate a few terms for the non Australian reader:
Bush = Countryside ( rough, scrubby bushland)
Holden Ute = Open topped van / utility
Esky = ice box or chilly bin as the New Zealanders call it
Kelpie = Australian breed of working dog mainly used on farms
Thongs = Flip flops (not a g-string)

The whole thongs = flip flop thing can really cause a problem. Years ago when we were living in London, I bought went shopping for my niece's 3rd birthday present. I got back to the office and was asked what I'd bought her.

Me: Some thongs.
English friend: really?!!
Me: yes, they are really cute
English friend: for a 3 year old??
Me: yes, she's worn them before, I'm sure she'll be fine in them. My sister says she wears them all the time.
English friend: but she's 3!
Me: but they are really cute with little rubber flowers on them.
Etc etc....

I really couldn't understand what her concern was until I pulled them out of the bag and my friend explained the whole g- string = thongs = flipflop. She must have thought I was really out there to be buying my 3 year old niece some g-strings for her birthday. Probably a bit like when I hear Americans talking about their fanny. It really makes me laugh.

I finally finished all my Christmas shopping last night. Thank goodness! I even managed to track down a boy version of a zhu zhu pet that my son wanted.
Hope you are all enjoying these last few days before Christmas and not too stressed. If you are travelling, drive safely and take care.

Cheers
Fiona

Aussie Jingle Bells
Lyrics by Colin Buchanan

Dashing through the bush
In a rusty Holden Ute
Kicking up the dust
Esky in the boot
Kelpie by my side
Singing Christmas songs
It’s summer time and I am in
My singlet, shorts & thongs

OH, JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS
JINGLE ALL THE WAY
CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRALIA
ON A SCORCHING SUMMER’S DAY
JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS
CHRISTMAS TIME IS BEAUT
OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE
IN A RUSTY HOLDEN UTE

Engine’s getting hot
Dodge the kangaroos
Swaggy climbs aboard
He is welcome too
All the family is there
Sitting by the pool
Christmas day, the Aussie way
By the barbecue!

OH, JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS
JINGLE ALL THE WAY
CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRALIA
ON A SCORCHING SUMMER’S DAY
JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS
CHRISTMAS TIME IS BEAUT
OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE
IN A RUSTY HOLDEN UTE

Come the afternoon
Grandpa has a doze
The kids and uncle Bruce
Are swimming in their clothes
The time comes round to go
We take a family snap
Then pack the car and all shoot through
Before the washing up

OH, JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS
JINGLE ALL THE WAY
CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRALIA
ON A SCORCHING SUMMER’S DAY
JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS
CHRISTMAS TIME IS BEAUT
OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE
IN A RUSTY HOLDEN UTE