Another Aussie Christmas offering this week. There’s a few very Aussie words in this one, so it will be interesting to see if it’s understandable to my Northern hemisphere poetry friends. Let me know if there’s anything you don’t get!
A Christmas Song
We sing of jingle bells and snow,
of warm red suits and ho ho ho;
but none of this is quite the way
when it is Christmas here below.
Downunder in good old Aussieland
it’s time for sun and surf and sand.
It’s hot, not cold, it’s summertime
and summer treats are in demand.
Hard work for reindeer in this heat.
Hot roofs would burn their tender feet
and racing through the summer skies
would surely leave them feeling beat.
And as for Santa in fur and such:
he’d soon feel overdressed a touch.
Being snug and warm in blistering heat
is not going to impress him much.
He also needs roos for the job
of sleigh-pulling – an Aussie mob
to get him moving all around
from Sydney town to Iron Knob.
His suit, too, needs an overthrow:
a new outfit, from head to toe.
Some boardies, singlet and some thongs
would seem to be the way to go.
So let’s not sing of snow and ice,
instead I’ll give you this advice:
roos, utes and summer are the go
for Christmas songs that sound real nice.
So ripper, bonza, beudy, strewth!
Though you might think my song uncouth
it’s true blue and it’s ridgy didge
to sing a song that tells the truth.
(Poem copyright Sally Murphy)
This week’s Poetry Friday roundup is being hosted by Steps and Staircases. Head over there to see what other poetry goodness is on offer this week.
Also, if you are looking for a quick Christmas craft activity, you can help your children make a a pair of Christmas antlers just like those Sage Cookson wears on the copy of my latest book. You can find printable pages, and instructions here.
What fun! The only word that had me stumped was “ute,” but now I know what that means. Glad to know I’m not the only one whose mind went elsewhere for a brief moment (HA…pun intended) when I got to the thongs. 🙂
Your song paints a picture, for sure! Thank you for sharing what it’s like in warmer weather, in Australia– sounds like a lot of fun! Thank you for sharing the printable, Sally.
Thanks Lisa And thanks for hosting this week.
How totally refreshing! I remember those Christmases on the beach well. I’ll have to share this one with my Aussie partner—he’ll love all the familiar lingo! It was also fun reading through the comments and seeing which references readers got and didn’t get. You forgot the six white boomers, though. 😉
Okay, you did mention roos… maybe that’s partial credit. LOL.
Oh, and congrats on your latest book too!
Thanks Michelle.
Sadly, the ‘six white boomers’ song has been tarnished for me because Rolf Harris, the song writer and performer, has been brought into disrepute.
But yes, the thought of using kangarooos instead of reindeer remains.
What fun and congrats on your new book!! Looks very fun. I wondered what “Iron Knob” was. And I briefly pictured St. Nick in a different kind of thong also, but luckily, it passed away quickly. LOL As for “ripper, bonza, beudy” not a clue!
Thanks Brenda. iron Knob is the name of a town. Aussie sense of humour I guess – I haven’t researched the name of the town, but I’ve been there, and I’m guessing the ‘knob’ part has to do with the hills. The last three are superlatives.
What fun to read your Aussie Christmas poem! Reading through the comments cleared up some of the unfamiliar expressions. I did have a fleeting (scarring?) mental image of Santa in a different type of thong before I realized you meant flip flops. Ack! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful Aussie-style holiday!
Ohmygosh, I love it! We are a pretty snow-centric Christmas culture where I live. It’s amazing how much we spread cheap plastic and paper holiday hoo-hah around the world to even warm places. What I would GIVE to spend a Christmas in Australia! Oh, I’d love to visit. The lyrics to this song are super. I laughed out loud at the thought of roos as santa’s helpers. But the ARE equipped with the proper pockets. I think you’ve got a great children’s book on your hands here.
Somehow “this” comment ended up on Kat’s post. Here is what I wanted to say. Thanks for that ‘antler’ craft, Sally. I’ll share with my granddaughters! The poem is wonderful, though I can guess what these (So ripper, bonza, beudy, strewth) mean, I will ask. They are all superlatives for “terrific”-right? I’ve had family in southern parts of the US who have laughed at us all bundled up for the holidays. Now you too must ‘re-dress’ Santa! Love it!
Thanks Linda. Love to see the antlers complete: I haven’t yet had a chance to make a pair myself.
Ad yes, they’re all superlatives 🙂
Love this, too – a very different Christmas from what we have in the American North East … but Christmas, nonetheless!
Thanks Tara. yes, definitely still Christmas.
Wonderfully fun! I agree with Matt it would make a great song. And keep those rheindeer off the roof. Thanks for sharing your poem and book too, Cheers!
thanks Michelle.
So much fun! Some of the warm weather Christmas elements you mentioned remind me of celebrating the holiday in Hawaii, where Santa does indeed wear flip flops and rides a surfboard. I love the plucky words you incorporated, “ripper, bonza, beudy, strewth”. 🙂
What fun! Utes is the one that confused me. Love it, though!
Thanks Laura. A ute is what I think you would call a pick up. It’s short for utility.
Maybe I didn’t quite get all the Aussie terms, but I think I got enough to get the gist. We’re preparing for the first snow, so the sun and sand and surf sound quite delightful, too. Love the book cover!
Thanks Kay. I’ll send you some warmth.
Love this! I can definitely see Santa in shorts, tank top, and flip flops (yes, I do get most of the references!)…although I think there needs to be a song about a Christmas python, don’t you think?
Thanks Matt. We had a dugite one Christmas – they’re one of Australia’s most poisonous snakes. Pythons I could cope with.
Thanks for being ridgy didge with us, Sally!
The cover of your book looks great!
Thanks Tabatha!
We had buddies in Australia one year and my 6 year olds were fascinated with the making of “sand angels” instead of “snow angels”!
Here’s my addition:
When Santa hits the Equator,
His red woolen clothes come off
And red shorts and t-shirt are waiting
For warmed up Santa to doff.
Then approaching the great Antarctic
He returns to his nice warm suit:
Fashion is never an issue
When Santa’s delivering loot!
by Donna JT Smith
So clever Donna! Thanks for contributing.
Crikey! You’ve just about covered it all with this one, Sally. Just don’t forget the flies, and the Christmas pav, I say. 🙂 (Or the cricket.)
Thanks Kat. If you look very closely at the cover of the book, sage is holding a pavlova, so I’ve got that one covered. Flies? They’re not invited. And cricket – covered in another poem 🙂