From his time as the first folk performer at the Sydney Opera House, throug… Read Full Bio ↴From his time as the first folk performer at the Sydney Opera House, through all the major Australian and New Zealand folk festivals and countless concerts and club shows, Bernard Bolan has made himself a National Treasure with his unmistakable blend of words, wit and finely crafted music.
Bernard's love songs are passionate and haunting, while his comedy material has had audiences literally gasping for breath with laughter. The words of his songs reveal themselves as gems of poetry and his all-original music has combined to produce many "classics of our time." The light-hearted mood of much of his work can be deceptive; it has poetic and musical subtlety and richness in it that has often baffled well-skilled imitators.
Bernard is an Englishman by birth, 30 years an Australian; lawyer, gardener, traveller, wordsmith, a seriously complex animal! His lyrics reflect his many moods and his compositions reveal his inherent musical talent. His ability to take life as he finds it enables him to mix the serious side of events with the sensuous. He has never regretted moving to Australia 30 years ago; "In Britain, it would not have been possible to combine two careers to the same degree as I have in Australia," Bernard said.
Bernard became famous in the 1970's when his single The Rose Bay Ferry reached Number One in the Australian Top 40 Charts. He has produced a number of best selling albums. The most recent is an album of many of his favourite songs issued by ABC Records: The Quirky Works of Bernard Bolan. His compositions have been recorded by many Australian artists.
Whether he sings of his dogs, his loves, his life as a city gent or getting his equipment caught in lift doors, a Bernard Bolan performance is an unforgettable experience.
Bernard's love songs are passionate and haunting, while his comedy material has had audiences literally gasping for breath with laughter. The words of his songs reveal themselves as gems of poetry and his all-original music has combined to produce many "classics of our time." The light-hearted mood of much of his work can be deceptive; it has poetic and musical subtlety and richness in it that has often baffled well-skilled imitators.
Bernard is an Englishman by birth, 30 years an Australian; lawyer, gardener, traveller, wordsmith, a seriously complex animal! His lyrics reflect his many moods and his compositions reveal his inherent musical talent. His ability to take life as he finds it enables him to mix the serious side of events with the sensuous. He has never regretted moving to Australia 30 years ago; "In Britain, it would not have been possible to combine two careers to the same degree as I have in Australia," Bernard said.
Bernard became famous in the 1970's when his single The Rose Bay Ferry reached Number One in the Australian Top 40 Charts. He has produced a number of best selling albums. The most recent is an album of many of his favourite songs issued by ABC Records: The Quirky Works of Bernard Bolan. His compositions have been recorded by many Australian artists.
Whether he sings of his dogs, his loves, his life as a city gent or getting his equipment caught in lift doors, a Bernard Bolan performance is an unforgettable experience.
Ferdinand
Bernard Bolan Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Ferdinand' by these artists:
-Ferdinand- I got a new Spotify profile Changed my name to Ferdinand…
Caravan My friend Ferdinand will, if he can Cross that bridge to…
Edina Pop (Om! Om!) Die Urlaubszeit, die ist so schoen Doch wohin sol…
Feuerschwanz Ihr lieben Leut' so hoert nur her und leiht mir…
Pierre Perret J'ai crû découvrir un grand écrivain. J'avais dix huit ans …
Stéphanie Blanchoud On ira faire des châteaux de sable Et on creusera jusqu'à…
Stimming feat. Urzula Amen I tell you the truth, While you know How your energy Suits m…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@billcrowle
It has taken me 60 years to find this again!
@allanwells4886
I used to teach my Year 3/4 kids (9-10 year olds) at Katoomba Primary School his song "The Rose Bay Ferry" with a few discreet changes to some of the lyrics to suit children of this age group. The kids and parents loved it. eg the lyric "...see the naked ladies on my chest" was altered to "... see the pretty mermaids on my chest" and the original "...pull up your anchor, pull your finger out" became "...pull up your anchor, pull the throttle out " and so on. These two were the only changes deemed necessary to avoid possible complaints from any over-sensitive parent(s). Never had one complaint! Bernhard was/is a national treasure. I'd love to hear "Ferdinand" (the farting dog)" on YouTube.
@rogerm4310
First I heard doing this was Derek Brimstone.... this is the second time I've heard it...... great song
@justicelut
Classic!
@rogerm4310
BASINGSTOKE
© Bernard Bolan
I've got a cat called Basingstoke. he's a cat you must admire.
He's black and white, or he was, till the night that he jumped into the fire.
What a night! The tale it must be told,
So grip your seat, for you're in for a treat that will make your blood run cold.
Basingstoke, he used to be so furry
Till he tried to kung-fu the canary.
Up he jumped, soaring ever higher,
Then the soaring stopped and down he dropped in the middle of the fire.
In flames and smoke my Basingstoke went roaring round the room.
His fiery tum and his blackened bum appeared to spell his doom.
What a cat! Whoever would have guessed
He could stick his rear in a pint of beer while beating out his chest?
Basingstoke, he truly is a trier.
It takes guts to sing when you're on fire.
What a cat! You should have seen him strain,
Stuck like glue in the bottom of the loo and trying to pull the chain.
Now life's no joke for Basingstoke; so runs the ugly rumour
That the fiery hob did not just rob him of his sense of humour.
Poor old chap! The prospect it appals.
Just one jump and down with a bump and he's burnt off all his undergrowth.
Basingstoke, his tale is truly tragic.
Fire and smoke, they have robbed him of his magic.
The former spring-pawed terror of the tiles
Just sits and sighs with tears in his eyes 'cause he only raises smiles.
Basingstoke, he used to be a charmer.
Now ladies joke, they talk of fried banana.
Poor old chap! He was too young to retire.
Once he was happy, handsome and hairy,
Just a red-blooded pussy with a taste for canary.
Now he comes somewhere between a fritter and a fairy
Since he walked the fire.
From folkaustralia.com/BernardBolan/lyrics.html
@koomugtoo
I got this on 45 rpm, mint condition and will sell it to the best bidder
@Proactivebeetleondamic
I am in Basingstoke
@annalisasteinnes
I've heard it's nothing to be ashamed of. But I don't know why.
@Proactivebeetleondamic
@@annalisasteinnes i said that 2 years ago and only now you reply
@annalisasteinnes
@@Proactivebeetleondamic I'm sorry it took me so long 😞
But I figured it out after some more googling.