Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Jamboree

JAMBOREE

Scouts and Guides from every nation
Meet to have a celebration.
This is called a Jamboree;
A word well-known to you and me.
But when it appeared in 1920
There were question-marks a-plenty!
What on earth was this strange word
One that nobody had heard?
Baden-Powell, the movement's founder,
(Who some consider 'rather a bounder')
Had lived in Africa for years,
Learning Swahili, it appears.
Jambo's a word that is a greeting;
Africans say it upon meeting.
But we go to another continent
To find out what the 'ee' bit meant.
We learn the Australian Aborigine
Has a good word 'corroboree';
This means a gathering of folks,
To drink and laugh and tell old jokes.
Put together the two words say
'Hallo-Meeting' in a sort of way.
All very suitable, you see,
For a Boy Scout Jamboree.
*
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HANDLE WITH CARE!

Tea-cosies shaped like houses are very often seen.
Handbags shaped like cottages are part of the female scene,
Money-boxes masquerade as homes, down the chimney goes the money,
And ornaments like dwellings can be cute and rather funny.
But a house that's like a basket! That's something rare indeed!
Something that I rather think the world just doesn't need!
*

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PS


Once a year our Choir goes into the country to a town called Cessnock where we perform for the elderly patients in the complex. Yesterday was a wonderful Spring day and everything looked very lush and green.


The azaleas were in full bloom.

And we were in full voice!

8 comments:

Karen said...

Jamborees are such fun! Love that basket building!

Kay L. Davies said...

Oh, there you are, Brenda, front and centre. I'm sure the residents appreciated your choir. In fact, I know how much it meant to my parents when they were in care, to have singing visitors.
My brother used to get one of the quartets from his men's barbershop choir to visit the facility, and he'd join them to make a quintet.
If I happened to be out at the west coast visiting Mom and Dad, I'd sing along, but very softly because I have a dreadful voice and can't carry a tune, but I know all the words to all the old songs.
— K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Roger Owen Green said...

so 'jamboree' is a portmanteau!
cool!
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

photowannabe said...

Great explaination of the word Jamboree...it certainly makes sense.
Love the Langenberger house. Their baskets are wonderful.
Enjoyed your post today.

Kim, USA said...

I missed jamboree. And yes Brenda you look gorgeous!!
ABC Wed

Gattina said...

I don't know "jamboree" at all !
Gattina
ABC Team

Strummed Words said...

You are so talented, to be able to rhyme like this. Love your poems!

Meryl said...

I love your humor and imagery...that basket is ... something! Thanks for the smile I leave with.