Christmas in Australia

Today for a little twist, since it’s Summer Solstice here, and Winter solstice there if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere) I thought I’d share with you a song we sing with gusto (at least my grandkids who have it completely memorized), the “Australian version of Jingle Bells”.  It’s written by a famous Australian Christian Children’s singer, Colin Buchanon.  
You can sing along or just watch the video below.  
Here are the words.  I’ll explain in (parenthesis) in case the ‘language’ is too difficult.
Aussie Jingle Bells
Colin Buchanan
Dashing through the bush
In a rusty Holden Ute  (Australian brand of pick up)
Kicking up the dust
Esky in the boot  (Eski is a cooler, boot is the trunk or truck bed)
Kelpie by my side (Kelpie is an Australian breed of sheep dog)
Singing Christmas songs
It's Summer time and I am in
My singlet, shorts and thongs (tank top, shorts and flip flops)
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 (beautiful, but they always say ‘beaut')
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a rusty Holden Ute
Engine's getting hot
We dodge the kangaroos
The swaggie climbs aboard  (anyone who’s a backpacker, hobo, etc)
He is welcome too
All the family's 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 the family snap
Then pack the car and all shoot through (shoot thru means to leave suddenly)
Before the washing up (dishwashing)
Oh! Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Jingle all the way
Christmas in Australia
On a scorching summer's day, hey
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Christmas time is beaut
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a rusty Holden Ute
I said, oh what fun it is to ride
In a rusty Holden ute.

So as they say here, ‘ava listen to the video below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnJ8jsw4BSo
 
We’ve had a wonderful Sunday-before-Christmas, Tony preaching twice at an Aussie church and then our Japanese one. A couple of nights ago we had our carols program at church and are looking forward to both Christmas Eve services as well as Christmas Day ones, before a nice hot feast. 
Wishing you the happiest Christmas season this year!
Love, Marsha and Tony

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