Aussie Jingle Bells

It’s hard to believe it’s almost Christmas again, isn’t it? It doesn’t seem like that long ago since we were wrapping gifts and singing Christmas songs last year. 2009’s gone by so quickly. Or maybe I’m just getting older.

I enjoy Christmas but for different reasons than I used to. I’m not religious anymore but I still enjoy the spirit of the season and the message of peace and good will. It’s the little things about Christmas I enjoy most; seeing the lights and decorations in the city, spending time with family and friends. That’s what Christmas is about to me.

To help get into the Christmas spirit this year I thought I’d post a fun Christmas song, like I did last year. This is my take on Jingle Bells, one of my favourite Christmas songs. I rewrote it to reflect a typical hot Aussie Christmas. It turned out quite well in the end.

In researching it I actually learnt a lot about the song. Apparently Jingle Bells was actually written in 1857 for Thanksgiving, not Christmas. Which makes sense when you think about it as modern Christmas celebrations didn’t start until later. Also there are actually four verses to Jingle Bells, which I didn’t know; you rarely hear the last two.

In any case, I hope you enjoy it. And have a wonderful festive season. ;)

Aussie Jingle Bells

Dashing through the houseIn an old shirt and one shoeRunning late againAnd you need the looFront door starts to ringAs the guests arriveBringing lots of gifts and pressiesUp the front drive

Oh jingle bells, jingle bellsJingle all the wayYour family’s gathered round youOn a warm Christmas day (hey!)Jingle bells, jingle bellsSanta says g’dayOh what fun it is to spendChristmas the Aussie way

Now the pressies are unwrappedWe’re sitting by the treeLights are all turned onLooks pretty as can beWe talk about old friendsAnd have a glass of wineWhile the kids play with their toysOut in the sunshine

Oh jingle bells, jingle bellsJingle all the wayYour family’s gathered round youOn a warm Christmas day (hey!)Jingle bells, jingle bellsSanta says g’dayOh what fun it is to spendChristmas the Aussie way

Soon it’s two o’clockWe’re by the barbequeEating snags and prawnsAnd drinking beer tooGrandma’s made the cakeIt’s a little dryWe try to eat it with one handWhile we’re busy swatting flies

Oh jingle bells, jingle bellsJingle all the wayYour family’s gathered round youOn a warm Christmas day (hey!)Jingle bells, jingle bellsSanta says g’dayOh what fun it is to spendChristmas the Aussie way

The light is getting dimIt’s almost time to goWe take a family snapUnder the mistletoeThe kids are fast asleepWe’re singing Christmas songsDon’t you wish Christmas dayCould last all summer long!

Oh jingle bells, jingle bellsJingle all the wayYour family’s gathered round youOn a warm Christmas day (hey!)Jingle bells, jingle bellsSanta says g’dayOh what fun it is to spendChristmas the Aussie way

Oh what fun it is to spendChristmas the Aussie way!

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Comments

7 responses to “Aussie Jingle Bells”

  1. museditions Avatar
    museditions

    I finally got here to read this! It’s brilliant. This is becoming an annual tradition, isn’t it?If the holiday is really like the third stanza, I would be a little frightened to celebrate there! ;)It’s not exactly snowing, here, either, in fact we’ve had quite balmy days recently. Still, it gets decently cold at night so we know it’s wintertime.”Santa says g’day” -hehehe!

    Reply
  2. Patricia Smith Avatar
    Patricia Smith

    Marcus and I had a right giggle at this! Lots of fun! We have over a foot of snow here in VA, USA. Definitely a white Christmas here! Marcus had said he missed the white Christmases in Sweden, so we imported it just for him.However, one of these years we’d like to have an Aussie Christmas!

    Reply
  3. cjwriter Avatar
    cjwriter

    Muse – I’m glad you liked it! I guess it is becoming something of a tradition; I’ll have to do one next year as well! Parodies are actually a great way to learn about songwriting as well, which is how I started.That third stanza is pretty much what our Christmases are like. You get used to the flies after a while! Some people still do the traditional roast but most of us have barbeques or salads and spend the day at the beach or by the pool. I read an interesting article on how our Christmas celebrations evolved the other day. You might like it too.The snow and blizzards in the US have been unbelievable. I hope no one you know has been affected?Hope you’ve had a wonderful holiday. All the best for 2010. :)——–Patricia – thanks, I’m glad it made you laugh! Jingle Bells is one of my favourite festive songs and it was a lot of fun to write. I keep singng this version now!I’ve been following the blizzards in the US; looked like it hit you pretty hard. I hope everyone’s okay? At least Marcus will feel right at home!Hope you’ve had a wonderful Christmas. Many blessings. :)

    Reply
  4. magikquilter Avatar
    magikquilter

    Oh son …it is over too soon isn’t it? Its really in the preparation…or more the realization for me of it all. Getting the snowy wintry looking decorations up and then …finally sitting back and enjoying them The day is always an anticlimax these days…as it is I think when children are not involved. I loved this and will maybe ask you to record it on our Christmas album next year!

    Reply
  5. cjwriter Avatar
    cjwriter

    Glad you liked it, MQ! You really think I should record it? I think my voice would give people a headache. :) I’ll see if I can do something special with it next year.Christmas does seem to go quickly, doesn’t it? You just start to get into the spirit and then it’s all over. I think I enjoy the lead up to Christmas more now, so I guess it’s less of an anticlimax for me. But Christmas is still very different without kids around.Hopefully when it comes around again this year we can take our time and enjoy the atmosphere. Who needs all the rest of it? It’s the small things that always make Christmas feel special to me. ;)

    Reply
  6. We Wish You an Aussie Christmas « A Writer's Life Avatar
    We Wish You an Aussie Christmas « A Writer's Life

    […] To celebrate I thought I’d post another of my Aussie Christmas songs. I did an Aussie take on Jingle Bells last year and The Aussie 12 Days of Christmas in 2008, so I guess it’s become something of a […]

    Reply
  7. We Wish You an Aussie Christmas « A Writer's Life Avatar
    We Wish You an Aussie Christmas « A Writer's Life

    […] To celebrate I thought I’d post another of my Aussie Christmas songs. I did an Aussie take on Jingle Bells last year and The Aussie 12 Days of Christmas in 2008, so I guess it’s become something of a […]

    Reply

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