Mr Templestowe was a resident at the Narrabeen War Veterans Home.
In this song the word 'nut' refers to the game of 'two-up' in a particularly Australian style - 'nut' is the face side of the coin whilst 'Khyber' refers to the back as in 'Khyber Pass' ie 'arse'. The word 'blow' is also distinctly Australian and I have heard it used to describe a 'talk session' and also for 'drinking' as in 'blowing the froth'. It is also used to describe a rest period as in 'a breather'. 'When we were in France we made up songs when we had a glass of Vin Rouge or Vin Blanc (this is where the word plonk (blanc) comes from). The house specialty, Madame, liked us (we didn't misbehave unless we were in bad company!). We stuck together and the word 'Aussie!' 'Anzac!' or 'Digger!' brought mates from everywhere to your aid, from all battalions. We made up a song about French beer. If you've ever seen rain in a cobblestone pool where horses stand, then you will have some idea of the taste and colour of 'Ie bier Francaise'. 'We also sang a ditty that went: 'Who'll come a-drinkin' the vin rouge with me?' to the tune of 'Waltzing Matilda'. We sang one about 'Rolling home, rolling home to dear old Aussie'. (Obviously a parody based on the old sailor's song 'Rolling Home'.) Australian soldiers seemingly enjoyed exaggerated 'leg pulling' and as this seems to be a particularly Australian aspect of our folklore it is no surprise to see standard bush exaggerations appearing under the one roof of a ditty. |