Irn Bru.
Until Wednesday I’d never heard of it. Then, on a few blogs I read I saw a link to a Christmas commercial they did last year that had been posted to YouTube.
Sadly, the YouTube version of the commercial wasn’t especially good. Mainly, it was pixelated.
I found a link to the Real Deal. I’m much happier. 😉
Irn Bru, by the way, is a Scottish soft drink. It’s pronounced “Iron Brew.” Supposedly, it’s made out of used girders.
The commercial! A few words about that.
A boy and his snowman take flight over Scotland. Yes, it’s The Snowman, and this just goes to show how creative British commercials are and American commercials aren’t, that they can parody the truly sancrosect things. Like The Snowman. 😉
I find the music in it haunting. It’s sad and wistful, and it has a nice comedic punch to it at the end. Yes, it’s “Walking in the Air,” but the lyrics are just masterful. Again, sancrosect, yadda yadda yadda. 🙂
Check it out. An Irn Bru Christmas. It’s charming and touching and wistful. And maybe even a little bit magical. And definitely a little bit mean.
Too bad Irn Bru is illegal in the United States. I’d have to buy some just to know what the fuss is about.
Ew. Irn Bru. Honestly, you’re not missing much. An oversweet concoction with a shockingly artificial colour. Better left to the imagination.
ok – a drink made from girders doesn’t sound that appealing but i loved the video! love those british folks!
There is a reference to the drink in the excellant Elvis Costello Christmas song The St. Stephen’s Day Murders,
knew of two sisters whose name it was Christmas
And one was named Dawn of course, the other one was named Eve
I wonder if they grew up hating the season
Of the good will that lasts ’til the Feast of St. Stephen
For that is the time to eat, drink and be merry
‘Til the beer is all spilled and the whiskey is flowed
And the whole family tree you neglected to bury
Are feeding their faces until they explode
There’ll be laughter and tears over Tia Marias
Mixed up with that drink made from girders
And it’s all we’ve got left as you draw your last breath
And it’s nice for the kids as you’ve finally got rid of them
In the St Stephen’s Day Murders
Uncle is garglin’ a heart-breaking air
While the babe in his arms pulls out all that remains of his hair
And we’re not drunk enough yet to dare criticize
The great big kipper tie he’s about to baptize
His gin-flavoured whispers and kisses of sherry
His best crimble shirt flung out over the shop
While the lights from the Christmas tree blow up the telly
His face closes in like an old cold pork chop
And the carcass of the beast left over from the feast
May still be found haunting the kitchen
And there’s life in it yet we may live to regret
When the ones that we poisoned stop twitchin’
There’ll be laughter and tears over Tia Marias
Mixed up with that drink made from girders
And it’s all we’ve got left as you draw your last breath
And it’s nice for the kids as you’ve finally got rid of them
In the St Stephen’s Day Murders
Irn-Bru isn’t illegal… the problem is that it has a “secret ingredient” that they will not reveal to the FDA, so they banned it (in its Scottish form.) However, they do make it in the USA, just very slightly reformulated, and you can order some at http://www.irn-bru-usa.com.
It is quite a funky color, but I SWEAR it’s the best stuff in the world. Search around and you can find some more great commercials they have. I love this one because it hits has many Scottish places and things in it that are instantly recognizable (Falkirk wheel, Loch Ness, St. George’s Square, etc.)