The sad Antipodean news (at least for me and many others) is the death of John Clarke.
Office-Watch.com has often referenced John Clarke’s early work, using names like Bruce Bayliss, Trevor, sheep-dip and Gumboots from his most famous character Fred Dagg.
John was little known outside Australia and his native New Zealand but his work as a comedy writer was unequalled. He had a way of finding the core hypocrisy and then expressing it in simple, economical and beautiful crafted language.
I always regarded him as the best comedy writer anywhere, bar none. I’ve been enjoying his work since the 70’s when snippets from NZ were played on Aussie radio (Thanks to Bob Hudson on 2JJ).
Many of his short pieces won’t be understood outside Australi/Ennzed but this is a classic that has wider appeal.
This video was mistaken for a real interview and ended up being debunked on Snopes.
John Clarke died of natural causes on the weekend. He was hiking in Victoria when he collapsed. It’s been a big shock to many, myself included. It’s taking time to process a world without him.
- Peter Deegan
by Billy Connolly, adapted by John Clarke for Fred Dagg.Righto, kick it in the guts, Trev...
Gumboots, they are wonderful, gumboots, they are swell
'coz they keep out the water and they keep in the smell.
And when you're sittin' round at home, you can always tell
When one of the Trevs has taken off his gumboots.
Chorus:
If it weren't for your gumboots, where would ya be?
You'd be in the hospital or infirmary
'coz you would have a dose of the 'flu, or even pleurisy
If ya didn't have yer feet in yer gumboots.
Now there's rugby boots and racing boots and boots for drinkin' rum.
But the only boots I'm never without are the ones that start with 'gum'.
I've got short ones and long ones and some up to me belt.
I'm never dressed 'till I've got on me gumboots.
Chorus:
If it weren't for your gumboots, where would ya be?
You'd be in the hospital or infirmary
'coz you would have a dose of the 'flu, or even pleurisy
If ya didn't have yer feet in yer gumboots.
Whenever I sing at the opera, my gumboots are a must.
They help me hit the high notes, and protect me feet from dust.
They keep the water well away, so me voice won't get no rust.
You will not never see me without me gumboots.
Chorus:
If it weren't for your gumboots, where would ya be?
You'd be in the hospital or infirmary
'coz you would have a dose of the 'flu, or even pleurisy
If ya didn't have yer feet in yer gumboots.
Now Rob Muldoon and Rowling, they haven't made a hit.
They're ruining the country more than just a bit.
If they keep on the way they're going, we'll all be in turd.
So you'd better get yer feet up yer gumboots.
Chorus x2:
If it weren't for your gumboots, where would ya be?
You'd be in the hospital or infirmary
'coz you would have a dose of the 'flu, or even pleurisy
If ya didn't have yer feet in yer gumboots.
If it weren't for your gumboots, where would ya be?
You'd be in the hospital or infirmary
'coz you would have a dose of the 'flu, or even pleurisy
If ya didn't have yer feet in yer gumboots.