“So do you think all the Eurovision Parties in Sydney will always be shit, or do you think they’ll ever get better?”, a friend of mine asked me as we shared a drink last night. She’s from England, she’s attended Eurovision, and for the last few years she’s been living in Sydney. That’s how we met, actually.
“I think the problem is that in Australia we’ve fallen for the UK-mindset about Eurovision. That it’s camp, it’s trashy, it’s tragic, and it’s terrible”, I told her. In many respects, I think the media coverage of Eurovision treats the contest as a bit of a joke. It’s ABBA. It’s Disco Balls. It’s Mardi Gras. It’s all of that “stuff” you laugh at if you want to re-inforce an insular world-view.
Having been to a few of the bigger parties in Sydney over the last few years, I’ve yet to find one that takes the contest seriously. A contest where they don’t rely on the usual cliches about tacky costumes, bad English, and so-called “voting blocks”. The reality of this year’s contest is that Eurovision is generally speaking very slick, sophisticated, and definitely not the “amateur hour” that’s it’s often portrayed to be.
This is particularly the case with this year’s contest hosted by Petra Mede, who I think should be made the permanent host of Eurovision. She’s such a class act. She delivers the script beautifully, but then she can also deliver a wonderful dead-pan remark right off the cuff. For example, when one of the country officials was delivering the votes and was gushing about how good the contest was, she simply said “Oh that’s nice”. And when it was clear next year’s contest would be held in Denmark, she simply said “That’s twenty minutes down the road”.
One of the great highlights of this year’s concert was the interval act. Through a song and dance number, Petra sought to explain Sweden to the rest of the world. Of course, there were lots of jokes about ABBA, IKEA, Vikings, The Muppet Chef (and so on), but there were also some very funny jokes which probably made little sense outside of Scandinavia. The recycling, the queues, not talking on public transport, meatballs “seasoned with a bit of horse”. The bit about milk? It’s because something like 60% of the Swedish population is lactose intolerant, the highest level in the world, apparently. I’ve watched the clip several times now, and every time I watch it, I pick up a new line. Fantastic stuff, which showed the Swedes could laugh at themselves with sophistication.
The last time I really enjoyed an interval act was when Norway hosted the contest and they staged an international flash mob. In stark contrast to the humour of Petra’s half-time act, this was a beautifully touching moment about Europe coming together in song.
I eschewed the ritual of watching the SBS delayed Sunday night telecast of the Eurovision Song Contest this year and instead got up early to watch the contest live. As the votes from the different countries coming through were beginning to indicate Denmark was probably going to win I faced the dilemma: I couldn’t actually remember the song. In contrast, there were lovely sweet songs like “Tomorrow” by Gianluca Bezzina from Malta and “Love Kills” by Roberto Bellarosa from Belgium; the vocally amazing performance of “It’s My Life” by Romanian counter-tenor, Cezar; and the pop protest, “Marry Me” by Krista Sigfrieds from Finland. Despite the earlier memory-loss, I finally remembered the winning song. It’s quite good, though I doubt it will go down in history as one of the great moments of Eurovision.
Having watched it earlier in the morning, I was able to spend my Sunday in a fairly normal way. I didn’t have to avoid the media all day for spoilers and I didn’t have to sit up until nearly mid-night to find out the results. Personally, I would love to see SBS do what they’ve done with the Academy Awards, The Grammys and so on, and run it live, and then replay it later at night. The media world has changed, and the idea of people having to wait twelve hours to know the results is all a bit silly. They could run the version without commentary at 5am, and then have Sam and Julia on, as per usual on Sunday night. I doubt it would have much of an impact on night-time viewing figures.
Don’t get me wrong, because Pablo was an excellent performer, I really enjoyed him playing. But when I saw him playing at the Beach Hotel at Byron Bay Beach Hotel yesterday, I giggled a little.
Here was a bloke called Pablo with a beard and a bun, playing folk music with a flute and then later a trumpet at a pub in Byron, where I was drinking an overpriced 13-dollar schooner of Coopers Green.
“Can you get any more Byron than that?”, I said to a group of friends who grew up in the area, who remembered when Byron wasn’t quite the place it has become.
Pablo playing at the Beach Hotel, Byron.
I remember when the same group of us visited Byron a decade ago in the midst of the summer holiday. It was overcrowded and expensive, and we hated it, remembering the quieter times of our youth.
“It’s Bondi with crystals”, a friend of mine once observed.
But if you go during the middle of the week outside those peak times of the year, it’s still a wonderful place to visit.
And for me, it’s extremely convenient. It’s about 50 minutes on the bus, compared to 45 minutes by car. For ten dollars you can catch an unlimited travel return trip from Lismore to Byron, including, if you want to, taking buses within Byron Shire.
Rocky outcrop at King’s Beach
The last time I visited Byron was about 12 months ago, in the midst of COVID. I was keen to go back again this week, to see how it was looking. Definitely busier than 12 months ago, but not so busy that it was unbearable.
It’s much much longer since I last visited nearby King’s Beach.
A friend and I recalled yesterday the excitement we felt going there as teenagers because it was a “nude beach”.
There weren’t many people at the beach yesterday, but that’s just as I’d hoped.
There was, however, a lot of wildlife to be found with a goanna, some birdlife, and some gorgeous coastal forest.
One of my favourite personal interests is family history. My earliest memory of this interest goes back to high school when we all had to do a “family tree”. Ever since then I’ve been fascinated. Although my interest is ongoing, I go through periods of great breakthroughs, and periods where nothing happens.
I made a brief reappearance on ABC radio today, talking about the significance/role of genealogy in my blogs.
If you heard the segment, here are the ancestors I’m interested in chasing up more information about.
GGGGG-Grandparents
Love and Hoare land at Parish of Manangle
John Love and Martha: There is considerable debate amongst researchers about the early life of John Love and his wife Martha. The essence of the debate concerns Martha and her name prior to marrying John Love. There are several theories, all of which are canvassed in the comments below. We know, however, that John Love was a member of the newly formed NSW Corps, whose role was to supervise convicts. Although the records are somewhat sketchy, I think we can also accept he and Martha came to Australia on the Third Fleet. There is debate, however, about whether or not their daughter, Elizabeth Love came with them, or whether or not she was born here. The ship on which they came, the “Matilda” departed from Portsmouth on March 27, 1791, arriving in Sydney on August 1.
James Rixon and Amelia Goodwin: Although the exact details of his birth have yet to be confirmed, it’s believed James Rixon was born in Derbyshire, England in about 1770, At the time of his conviction and sentencing, he was living in Ilkeston, a small market town in the Erewash Valley, Derbyshire. Aged 22, he was “Charged on the oath of William Reed on Suspicion of privately stealing out of his Box in the House of William Webster, of Ilkeston, on Monday the 24th of October last, the Sum of Nine Guineas”. The sentence “To be hang’d” was commuted to Life imprisonment. His partner, Amelia Goodwin was also born in 1770 and her first marriage was to John Goodwin. When convicted she was 29 years old and living at Greenwich, England. She was charged with the theft from her employer of a large number of clothing and household items. According to the court record the value of the goods was 39-shillings. Amelia Goodwin was tried at Maidstone, Kent, found guilty of the offence on July 15, 1799 and sentenced to 7 years transportation.
James O'Brien visits Wexford in September 1999
John Hoare and Elizabeth Love: John Hoare who was transported to Australian in 1801 came originally from County Wexford, although the exact details of his birthdate and place remain unconfirmed (see notes). Wexford is a town of about 10,000 people these days on the South Coast of Ireland. Much of the history of the area, including the county’s role in Irish independence is celebrated and preserved. Researcher, Graham Lewis believes he enlisted in the Royal Navy at the Port of London on September 7, 1795. Initially he was on HMS Royal William, and soon afterwards HMS Impregnable. He moved to the HMS Defiance in 1796. On board the HMS Defiance Hoare was one of a number of people found guilty of their involvement in a naval mutiny on board the ship in 1798. A few years after arriving in Australia, he married Elizabeth, the daughter of John and Martha Love.
Allan McLean and Janet McFarlane: Allan McLean was born on the Isle of Coll, Scotland in 1782. His father, John McLean was a boat-builder and carpenter, while his mother, Isabella McDougall presumably worked at home.On May 23, 1816 at Scarinish, the main village on the Isle of Tiree (just off Coll) Allan married Janet McFarlane, a waitress living in the village. They left from Tobermory on the Isle of Mull on September 27, 1837 and travelling on the “Brilliant”, they arrived in Sydney on January 20, 1838. Soon after arriving in Australia, Allan and Janet settled at Broulee, near Moruya, on the NSW South Coast.
Thomas Triggell and Henrietta Spencer: Thomas Triggell was born November 8, 1812 in the small village of Bramshaw, near Fordingbridge in Hampshire, England. Thomas Triggell and Henrietta Spencer were married by banns (in the church, as opposed to national registratoin) at St Lawrence Church, Downton, Wiltshire, on October 7 1832. Both signed with a mark and witnesses to the marriage were Charles Sleave (Sleane?) and William Pope. They came to Australia in 1834 on board the Ship “James” with their daughter, Ellen (although she is named “Ann” on the Shipping Records. They left from London on June 29, and travelled via the Cape of Good Hope to Port Jackson, Australia, arriving here on November 17, 1834. They eventually settled on the Monaro.
Robert Higgins and Ann Owen: Robert Higgins, who was from Nottinghamshire, was sent to Australia after taking part in The Walcheren expedition (July 30 – December 10, 1809), a very large British military operation during the Napoleonic Wars. Higgins was court martialled on September 6, 1809. He came to Australia on the Admiral Gambier II in 1811. He married convict Ann Owen on November 19, 1814 at St. John’s Parramatta. Ann, who was probably born in 1791 had come to Australia on the Wanstead, along with her illegitimate daughter, Elizabeth. Judging by the record of her trial at The Old Bailey, and having an illegitimate daughter, it appears Ann would have been desperately poor before her arrival in Australia. Upon a conditional pardon, Robert became a Constable. In 1828, Robert and Ann separated. The reason, according to evidence given at the coronial inquest into his death, was that Ann had an extramarital affair. Robert Higgins died from asthma on June 11, 1828 at Burragorang. Ann died on July 23, 1832, and is buried beside her daughter Elizabeth Scott at Sutton Forest.
GGG-Grandparents
William Rixon and Ann Hoare: William and Ann had a large family and farmed in the Campbelltown district, now part of Greater Sydney.
James Laing and Isabella McLean: James Laing was a convict. He and Isabella lived in the Moruya and Towamba districts of Southern NSW.
Robert Higgins and Ellen Triggell: Robert Higgins who was the son of Robert Higgins and Ann Owens was born 1824 in Bargo NSW. He married English immigrant (came to Australia with her parents in 1834), Ellen Triggell at Cooma and lived at Towamba, near Eden NSW.
James Dennis and Elizabeth Guymer: James Dennis and Elizabeth Guymer were married on April 29, 1818 in the parish of East Dereham. Elizabeth who was born March 4, 1798 (and baptised one year later). was the daughter of William Guymer and Elizabeth Allison. Their daughter, Mary Ann came to Australia in 1854. Elizabeth died in the Mitford District in 1857 (Q3 1857 4b 200}.
GG-Grandparents
James O’Brien and Mary Smith: James and Mary were from the Slane district of Ireland. They came to Australia in 1864, settling in the Bega Valley.
James Wright Goward and Mary Ann Denny: James and Mary Ann were from the Norfolk District of England. They settled on the Kameruka Estate, near Candelo, via Bega, NSW.
Maurice Lynch and Mary Moynihan: Maurice Lynch and his wife, Mary Moynihan, lived in Listowel, a town near the Southwest coast of Ireland in County Kerry.
Donald Laing and Sarah Higgins: Donald Laing was probably one of Australia’s longest serving mailmen, completing 61 years of continuous mail contracting service, most of it carried out on horseback.
William Elliott and Mary Fitzgerald: At this stage, I have almost no information about William Elliott and Mary J Fitzgerald. I do, however, think there’s a fair amount of evidence they were the parents of Catherine Elliott who married John Dunn at Cooma on May 26, 1873. If this can be confirmed, they’re my g-g-grandparents. As I cannot find a marriage record for them yet, it’s likely they either didn’t marry or came to Australia as a married couple. I’m sure the latter is true!!
G-Grandparents
Mary Ann Goward was the daughter of James and Mary Ann. She married Peter O'Brien and lived in the Bega and Candelo districts of NSW.
John Noonan and Hannah Lynch: Hannah Lynch was an assisted immigrant who came to Australia where she married John Noonan. They lived and worked mostly in the Bega District.
William Rixon and Ellen Laing: Now this is a fascinating story. William and Ellen were first cousins who had at least three children together. William also had another family with whom he lived in Bairnsdale in Victoria. Easily the most interesting (and complex) story I’ve been researching.
Grand-Parents
James O’Brien and Lena Noonan: James and Lena mostly worked as dairy farmers in the Bega and Lismore districts. Their decision to move to Lismore was the reason why I grew up there.
Charles Dunn and Bertha Rixon: After serving in the First World War, Charles married Bertha. In the 1930s, they moved from Bombala to Lismore.
Parents
Albert O’Brien and Bertha Dunn: Mum and dad. For many years dad worked at the Lismore Base Hospital, while mum mostly worked at home.
It was a play I wasn’t familiar with, but Colin assured me it was a very good play, a classic Australian play. Before the play, we discussed the reluctance of many theatre companies to do these classic Australian plays. As well as the issue of funding, I guess there’s a fear the audience will see them as old fashioned. But I really honestly think there’s a market for classic Australian drama that’s not being currently met.
For example, I really love “Summer Of The Seventeenth Doll”, I really love plays like “Christian Brothers” and “Hard God” and I really enjoyed seeing “Don’s Party” the other week. And although I hadn’t realised it, “No Names, No Pack Drill” has quite a similarly strong pedigree, with the likes of Mel Gibson and Nonee Hazlehurst featuring in early productions, and having been made into the movie “Rebel” which starred Matt Dillon.
As with many of these classic Australian dramas, “No Names, No Pack Drill” is a love story set during the Second World War, which seeks to understand how ordinary people can react to extraordinary situations. In this play, Bridie Carter, who is well known from McLeod’s Daughters, plays a young woman living alone in Kings Cross (her husband is fighting overseas) who ends up harbouring an American deserter, Rebel (played by Travis McMahon) in her flat. I thought they were both very good, with genuinely believable characters. Unfortunately, the secondary characters were nowhere near as good, with some of them clearly out of their depth or defaulting to character stereotypes.
Nonetheless, I really enjoyed the play for many reasons, mostly related to a sense of familiarity. My mum and dad would have been that age during the war and so I imagined them in a similar situation. And my aunty still had the same furniture and house decorations featured in the play well into the 1970s. There were also some very funny lines and it was “very Australian” in the style of language used. However, at the end of the night, the new director of NIDA reflected on how many of the younger cast members hadn’t understood some of the language used, and at first, the Australian accents seemed over the top. But as Colin reflected, “that’s how people spoke then”.
Casting our eyes around the audience, we noticed a significant number of Australian actors, writers and directors. Sitting right next to us was the playwright, Louis Nowra, (nephew of Bob Herbert who wrote the play) and his wife Mandy Sayer. Right in front of us was Felix Williamson (son of David). We also noticed Sandy Gore and Judy Farr, amongst others. This was a significant night for Australian theatre with many well known people turning out for the launch of NIDA’s professional company. I hope they do some more classic Australian drama.
We only realised later that the older gentleman sharing the lift with us at the Sydney Opera House was none other than the Australian showbusiness legend, Barry Crocker. He sported dark sunglasses, a black hat, and jacket, and was navigating with a mobility assistance walker. There were just four of us in the lift, all focused on reaching the Concert Hall and finding our seats.
This marked my first experience using the accessibility options at the Opera House. With its vast staircases, the Opera House also features a network of lifts and a team of friendly staff wearing outfits adorned with wheelchair logos, clearly identifying them as aides for individuals with disabilities. Judy, who also has a physical disability, and I were both impressed with the support we received from the moment we arrived at the Opera House, passed through security, and entered the lifts.
The older man and his companion (who appeared to be in his forties), were already in the lift when we joined. We chatted about accessibility at the Opera House and traveled up and down a couple of levels before reaching our destination. Only when he walked out ahead of us, and his companion addressed him by name, did we realise it was Barry Crocker.
Known for his role as the eponymous lead character in “The Adventures of Barry McKenzie,” Barry Crocker was acknowledged in the State Memorial for Barry Humphries which we were attending.
Barry Crocker was the only celebrity we encountered up close, although we did observe other well-known figures, such as former Prime Ministers Malcolm Turnbull and John Howard, seated together, as well as, we believe, Paul Keating.
Despite Barry Humphries falling out of favor in recent years due to his controversial comments on various political and gender-related matters, Judy and I chose to attend. The memorial not only celebrated his comedic creations like Dame Edna and Les Patterson but also highlighted his contributions to music and painting.
Film director, Bruce BeresfordAustralian Chamber OrchestraIn the background, how the Opera House sails will remember Barry Humphries
In addition to the public aspect of the memorial, there were private moments as family members, including his children, shared insights. Oscar, one of his sons, discussed his own struggles with drug and alcohol abuse, contrasting with Barry’s abstinence from alcohol since the 1970s. The speeches collectively painted a portrait of a man who, while flawed, was undeniably a creative genius.
There was a lengthy queue as we waited to use the lift to get back to the ground level. Ahead of us there were maybe a dozen other people (mostly much older) with a range of walking aids. “This is always the way”, Judy said, adding, “The disability queues are always short to get in, as people come in separately, but they’re always lengthy when everyone tries to leave at the same time”.
I’m not really sure when I started looking closely at “Development Applications” but it must have been sometime between 2005 and 2010. I was the Program Director at ABC Radio Sydney (then named 702 ABC Sydney), and I knew local council activities were a good source of news stories.
Previously, I’d worked at the ABC in Wagga and at the ABC in Renmark and I would regularly read local government papers. At Renmark we have about five local councils, and at Wagga we had about twenty local councils, so it kept me fairly busy. In the midst of each local council paper there was always at least “one good story”.
As I walked along Crown Street today, I noticed there was a development sign outside the old Post Office Building, most recently an ANZ Bank. It’s been empty for a while now, since the branch closed a few months ago, and, as a local resident, I’ve been keen to know what might replace the wonderful old building.
After reading the development application on the City of Sydney website, I’m none the wiser. All I can determine is that over the next four months, they’re doing $87,000 worth of development works, removing some interior walls and so on. I can only assume they’re preparing it for a possible new tenant.
There’s a lot going on in my part of Surry Hills right now with the redevelopment of the Surry Hills Shopping Village.
“That’s where the old Greek men used to hang out and solve the world’s problems… I wonder where they meet now”, a friend wrote, in response to the photograph I sent to him and some others.Both the Medical Centre and Noodle Star (as well as the computer store) have all moved to Crown Street“Just one woman?”, I was asked on Twitter, about the new shop opening on Crown Street. The vibe I’m getting is this might be a “good old fashioned frock shop”.
Though I’ve joined the Facebook group, and some friends have become passionately involved, I haven’t really engaged yet with the planned traffic changes on Cleveland Street.
This arrived in the mail a few days ago.
At the heart of the matter is a plan to reduce the traffic speed to 40km/h on Cleveland Street, and remove the capacity for people to turn off the road.
Cleveland Street is a very busy thoroughfare, and so this isn’t just an issue for people in Surry Hills. Though traffic can sometimes travel at a “glacial pace” (when there’s cricket or footy happening at one of the nearby stadiums), 40km/h does seem a little slow, in my opinion.
And the argument people have put to me is that many of the quieter streets of our neighbourhood will become busier, as people try to find shortcuts or speedier ways of travelling through the neighbourhood.
With empty shops downstairs, and an ageing set of apartments upstairs, surely it can’t be too long before we see a “Development Application” sign appear on this building on Crown Street?
There’s not a lot that happens on a Sunday afternoon in Lismore. The streets are empty, and most of the pubs are closed.
In some ways, it’s not that different to the days when I was growing up here in the 70s and 80s. Most of these memories are from when I was less than ten years old. Every Sunday, Pat would come and pick me up. From there, we would drive to the home of the financier who she was paying off her home to. “It was $14 a week”, she told me yesterday. And from there, we would take a drive around the block, eventually stopping for a soft-serve ice cream at “The Dairy Delite”.
“The Dairy Delite” is no longer there. Even “The Glen Milk Bar” has gone, as has “Harry Crethar’s Wonder Bar”. The Tropicana and The Mecca remain.
Whenever I’m back in Lismore I love going for a walk around the block. My family doesn’t quite understand why I like walking to town. “We can drop you off and pick you up”, they’ll tell me. From home to town takes about ten minutes, starting with a walk across the Ballina Street Bridge.
Underneath the Ballina Street Bridge, LismoreWandering down by the Wilson’s River in Lismore.Sunday afternoon at the laneway to the Lismore Club.
While family members took an afternoon nap yesterday, I wandered over town for a walk along the levy bank, on my way to the Bowling Club.
Even though I’m 55 years old, I suddenly realised yesterday I’d never actually been inside the City Bowling Club before. I’ve walked past many, many times, but I’d never actually entered the building before.
Lismore City Bowling Club
It’s one big room, with lots of honour boards and old black and white photographs.
“I’ll only charge you $10”, the woman on the door said. I was there for the advertised afternoon of the Lismore Jazz Club. Looking around the room, most people were aged at least sixty. There was, however, a sprinkling of young people. “Do you mind if I sit here?”, I asked a similarly aged-bloke. He was originally from Sydney and had been living here for a while. He still goes back to Sydney about once a month to teach. He told me he was in a few different jazz bands, including a few different styles. “This band is good”, he told me.
I missed their first set but was there for the entirety of their second, which explains why I didn’t have to pay the full entry fee. They played a fairly traditional setlist of tunes from the 1930s to the 1960s.
There were standards like “Nature Boy” and “My Funny Valentine”, along with less well-known stuff from Theolonius Monk and Wayne Shorter. I really hated the way they turned “Nature Boy” into a bossa-nova style number, but otherwise, they were a good band playing good tunes, and it was a lovely way to spend the afternoon.
As I looked around the room at the crowd, I realised these could be “my people” when I return home in a few years time.
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I forgot to mention one fab thing about the Eurovision Party we attended was chatting for a while about the Swedish barman. We chatted about how fantastic Petra Mede was, and he mentioned in particular the lyrics for the interval act. Here they are…
The Interval Act of the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest
Lyric: Matheson Bayley, Edward af Sillén, Daniel Réhn
I come from a country that’s hard to find
Somewhere near the icy pole
But though we are freezing, please bear in mind
Sweden’s gonna warm your soul
Our people are cold, but our elks are hot!
A horny horde in every fjord
Our moose may be loose, but they hit the spot!
On our Swedish Smorgasbord
A tour of our nation is certain to impress
We’ve quite a few surprises for you
A Swedish chef and Death playing chess
And a girl with a dragon tattoo
Pah-pah-poo!
By winning this contest you get the chance
To host a show you can’t afford
But then sell your country through song and dance
Here’s our Swedish smorgasbord!
We’re green to our planet, with eco-pride
Recycling is in our hearts.
Mamma Mia! Ikea has gone world-wide!
Good luck assembling all the parts!
We’re strict and we’re structured, and seldom vent
Don’t show emotion; never whine!
Not easy to please, but we’re quite content
When we get to stand in line!
Does anyone know what this line is for?
Well… I’d better stay and find out…
Proper and polite and private is our style
Never ever talk on a train!
And if we see a stranger throw us a smile
He’s either a drunk or insane!
Every day we face it
Fly on up and taste it!
Try our Swedish Smorgasbord!
Beneath the midnight sun
The blondes have all the fun
And if you long for stockings, say /“Amen!/”
From Vikings we’re descended
It’s frightening what those men did
But see how we’ve evolved since then…
Our roles are reversing
Our daddies are nursing
In all of our cities
Though men don’t have titties
They can still stay at home to raise the kids
And our girls can handle their balls With the best kickline of them all…
You may now kiss the groom
Follow our example!
Come and try a sample
Of our Swedish Smorgasbord!
It’s time for some dinner – we pray you’ll stay!
Come and try our favourite course!
We eat all our meatballs the Nordic way:
Seasoned with a hint of horse
For Strindberg
And Bergman
And Celsius – all rise!
For Thor and Björn Borg
And the great Nobel Prize!
There’s Volvo
And Garbo
The best lingonberry
And all of our problems
Digesting our dairy!
We gave you Carola, and Waterloo
And Diggi-Loo – who all adored
We’ll take you to heaven, Euphoria too…
Come and join our party
Come on up and chill
There’s room for everybody
Gravad lax and dill
On our:
Aquavit, crayfish
Yucky salty liquorice
Randy Scandinavian race –
With H&M ’n’ Ace of Base –
Our hurdy-gurdy-super-duper
Fab-as-ABBA-Super-Trouper
Swedish Smorgasboooooooooooord!
The interval act for me was a real highlight. I was in Town Hall Square in Copenhagen when they won and it is a real once in a lifetime experience. The crowd were in a great mood from seeing the show and then to win really sent them over the top.
Hopefully next year for me. In the meantime, I’m getting my head around a trip to South Africa in the first couple of weeks of July. Very excited for different reasons.
I forgot to mention one fab thing about the Eurovision Party we attended was chatting for a while about the Swedish barman. We chatted about how fantastic Petra Mede was, and he mentioned in particular the lyrics for the interval act. Here they are…
http://www.mathesonbayley.com/
The Interval Act of the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest
Lyric: Matheson Bayley, Edward af Sillén, Daniel Réhn
I come from a country that’s hard to find
Somewhere near the icy pole
But though we are freezing, please bear in mind
Sweden’s gonna warm your soul
Our people are cold, but our elks are hot!
A horny horde in every fjord
Our moose may be loose, but they hit the spot!
On our Swedish Smorgasbord
A tour of our nation is certain to impress
We’ve quite a few surprises for you
A Swedish chef and Death playing chess
And a girl with a dragon tattoo
Pah-pah-poo!
By winning this contest you get the chance
To host a show you can’t afford
But then sell your country through song and dance
Here’s our Swedish smorgasbord!
We’re green to our planet, with eco-pride
Recycling is in our hearts.
Mamma Mia! Ikea has gone world-wide!
Good luck assembling all the parts!
We’re strict and we’re structured, and seldom vent
Don’t show emotion; never whine!
Not easy to please, but we’re quite content
When we get to stand in line!
Does anyone know what this line is for?
Well… I’d better stay and find out…
Proper and polite and private is our style
Never ever talk on a train!
And if we see a stranger throw us a smile
He’s either a drunk or insane!
Every day we face it
Fly on up and taste it!
Try our Swedish Smorgasbord!
Beneath the midnight sun
The blondes have all the fun
And if you long for stockings, say /“Amen!/”
From Vikings we’re descended
It’s frightening what those men did
But see how we’ve evolved since then…
Our roles are reversing
Our daddies are nursing
In all of our cities
Though men don’t have titties
They can still stay at home to raise the kids
And our girls can handle their balls With the best kickline of them all…
You may now kiss the groom
Follow our example!
Come and try a sample
Of our Swedish Smorgasbord!
It’s time for some dinner – we pray you’ll stay!
Come and try our favourite course!
We eat all our meatballs the Nordic way:
Seasoned with a hint of horse
For Strindberg
And Bergman
And Celsius – all rise!
For Thor and Björn Borg
And the great Nobel Prize!
There’s Volvo
And Garbo
The best lingonberry
And all of our problems
Digesting our dairy!
We gave you Carola, and Waterloo
And Diggi-Loo – who all adored
We’ll take you to heaven, Euphoria too…
Come and join our party
Come on up and chill
There’s room for everybody
Gravad lax and dill
On our:
Aquavit, crayfish
Yucky salty liquorice
Randy Scandinavian race –
With H&M ’n’ Ace of Base –
Our hurdy-gurdy-super-duper
Fab-as-ABBA-Super-Trouper
Swedish Smorgasboooooooooooord!
Hi James
The interval act for me was a real highlight. I was in Town Hall Square in Copenhagen when they won and it is a real once in a lifetime experience. The crowd were in a great mood from seeing the show and then to win really sent them over the top.
Hopefully next year for me. In the meantime, I’m getting my head around a trip to South Africa in the first couple of weeks of July. Very excited for different reasons.