Summer Celebrations: Christmas Songs in the Southern Hemisphere
When the Northern Hemisphere reels under the winter chill, the Southern Hemisphere experiences the warmth and vibrancy of summer during the Christmas season. Consequently, many Christmas songs incorporate summer imagery, reflecting the unique festive experiences of countries like Australia and New Zealand. This article explores some of these popular Christmas songs and the ways in which they embrace the essence of summer celebrations.
Summer Themes in Christmas Songs
There are several Christmas songs that specifically mention summer imagery, especially for audiences in the Southern Hemisphere where Christmas coincides with the warmer months. Here are a few notable examples:
Australian Christmas Classics
One of the most recognized Australian Christmas classics is “Australian Christmas”. This song depicts Santa's journey through the Australian summer landscape, featuring iconic Australian elements like kangaroos and the unique Australian bush. For instance, the chorus goes:
“It’s summer time and I am in/my singlet shorts and thongs, /Jingle bells jingle, jingle all the way, /Christmas in Australia on a scorching summers day. /Hey! Jingle bells jingle bells, /Christmas time is beaut! /Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute. /Engines getting hot, we dodge the kangaroos, /The swaggie climbs aboard, he is welcome too. /All the family there, sitting by the pool, /Christmas Day the Aussie way, by the barbecue.”
Another example is “Aussie ‘Jingle Bells’”, a humorous and light-hearted rendition that captures the essence of celebrating Christmas in the Australian summer. The lyrics provide a vivid portrayal of Australian summer life:
“Yes it’s light hearted fun. /Dashing through the bush in a rusty Holden Ute /O uterus so, /Kicking up the dust and sky in the boot, /Kelpie by my side, /Singing Christmas songs, /It’s summer time and I am in, /My singlet and thongs. /Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, /Jingle all the way, /Christmas in Australia on a scorching summers day. /Hey! Jingle bells, jingle bells, /Christmas time is beaut! /Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.”
New Zealand's Summer Christmas
Having a similar experience, New Zealanders also celebrate Christmas during the summer. One of the most popular New Zealand Christmas songs is “Christmas on the Beach”. This song beautifully captures the joy of a Kiwi Christmas:
“In the sun, on the spot, /On a grassy paddock, /Under the heavens uncut, /Celebrating without a doubt, /With the dancing, with the huddling, /Merry making, merry celebrating, /Fires under the stars, /As our celebrations bring us together, /We have a Christmas on the beach, /A Christmas on the beach, /Christmas on the beach, /Gathering at the beach, /A perfect combination, /A perfect combination of the summery weather, /That sets our Christmas apart, /With everything we share. /Have a Merry Christmas on the beach, /On a beach far from home, /A Merry Christmas, /An unforgettable Christmas on the beach.”
Other Adaptations and Specific Carols
Some Christmas songs have been adapted to reflect the summer context of the Southern Hemisphere. For example, “Jingle Bells” has a fun and refreshing take with lyrics like:
“Yes it’s light hearted fun. /Dashing through the bush in a rusty Holden Ute /O uterus so, /Kicking up the dust and sky in the boot, /Kelpie by my side, /Singing Christmas songs, /It’s summer time and I am in, /My singlet and thongs. /Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, /Jingle all the way, /Christmas in Australia on a scorching summers day. /Hey! Jingle bells, jingle bells, /Christmas time is beaut! /Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.”
Additionally, there are several Australian-specific carols such as “The Carol of the Birds”, “The Silver Stars”, and “Across the Plains One Christmas Night”, which are set in rural and coastal areas of Australia and often feature local bird species and summer activities.
Commercial Adaptations and Humorous Takes
Several attempts have been made to rewrite traditional Christmas lyrics for the Southern Hemisphere context. For example, there is an adaptation of the Australian Twelve Days of Christmas that is geographically appropriate. Another notable example is “Frosty the Yobbo”, a comedy duo’s twist on “Frosty the Snowman” with lyrics like:
“Frosty the Yobbo got out on parole, /The judge said he had no respect and little self-control, /Frosty the Yobbo as everybody knows, /Is a snowman with an attitude and a carrot for a nose. /And if you wanna know how we messed up the lyrics, /It’s just a simple word change, /Snowman replaced with Yobbo, /Snow changed to sun. /Oh, it’s going to be fun, /Frosty the Yobbo's Christmas in the summer sun, /Egg white meringue snowmen, /No need for hats, /It’s winter wonderland, /You say summer wonderland. /Hey, Frosty, let’s go for a swim, /We’re so happy, /We’re so warm, /It’s all the same to me, /I don’t care, /Cause it’s a summer wonderland.”
Another notable attempt is “Santa Bloody Claus” by folk singer Eric Bogle, which is a satire not just of the Christmas spirit but also of political figures and commercialism, featuring references like:
“Who’s the biggest humbug of them all, /Apart from Dr John and Prime Minister Paul? /Santa Bloody Claus’s been elected, /Santa feels ashamed, /He’s gotta raise himself from his smouldering sanctum. /The bloody dunce’s on parole, /Thanks to a campaign /That simply railed against /The insidious Christmas /Commercialisation/well, at least, that’s the plan. /Who’s the worst? /That’s the same question for us all, /The people who are influenced, /By who’s got the power, /Over this bloody profession, /Of being a bloody commercial rip-off? /Who was the biggest, /Was it Dr John or was it Paul? /I think deep down, /They both deserve a noose, /A Santa bloody Claus.”
These songs reflect the unique experience of Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere where traditional winter imagery is replaced with summer activities and landscapes, offering a light-hearted and festive take on the holiday season.