OzTennis

I revisited this recently and share it. One of my father's favourites (and mine).

The 'tall stranger' referred to in the song is Gough Whitlam.

1991:
2013:

OzTennis

Gather round people let me tell you're a story
An eight year long story of power and pride
British Lord Vestey and Vincent Lingiarri
Were opposite men on opposite sides

Vestey was fat with money and muscle
Beef was his business, broad was his door
Vincent was lean and spoke very little
He had no bank balance, hard dirt was his floor

From little things big things grow
From little things big things grow

Gurindji were working for nothing but rations
Where once they had gathered the wealth of the land
Daily the pressure got tighter and tighter
Gurindju decided they must make a stand

They picked up their swags and started off walking
At Wattie Creek they sat themselves down
Now it don't sound like much but it sure got tongues talking
Back at the homestead and then in the town

From little things big things grow
From little things big things grow

Vestey man said I'll double your wages
Seven quid a week you'll have in your hand
Vincent said uhuh we're not talking about wages
We're sitting right here till we get our land
Vestey man roared and Vestey man thundered
You don't stand the chance of a cinder in snow
Vince said if we fall others are rising

From little things big things grow
From little things big things grow

Then Vincent Lingiarri boarded an aeroplane
Landed in Sydney, big city of lights
And daily he went round softly speaking his story
To all kinds of men from all walks of life

And Vincent sat down with big politicians
This affair they told him is a matter of state
Let us sort it out, your people are hungry
Vincent said no thanks, we know how to wait

From little things big things grow
From little things big things grow

Then Vincent Lingiarri returned in an aeroplane
Back to his country once more to sit down
And he told his people let the stars keep on turning
We have friends in the south, in the cities and towns

Eight years went by, eight long years of waiting
Till one day a tall stranger appeared in the land
And he came with lawyers and he came with great ceremony
And through Vincent's fingers poured a handful of sand

From little things big things grow
From little things big things grow

That was the story of Vincent Lingairri
But this is the story of something much more
How power and privilege can not move a people
Who know where they stand and stand in the law

From little things big things grow
From little things big things grow
From little things big things grow
From little things big things grow

ozzieeagle

Never knew it was about Gough until now.... I really enjoy Paul Kellys work..

Here's a very watchable "Melbournecentric" clip....

Beoz

Who is Paul Kelly?

ozzieeagle

He gets played on the radio a hell of a lot....He's been around for 4 decades now.

Try these one's, they're his most played songs

HotChip

Great song!

My favourite is 'If I could start today again".

OzTennis

You failed the 'am I an Aussie test'.

As you like cricket try this:


and this:

Kim67

Paul Kelly is not just a singer songwriter, he's a poet and story teller that in my opinion tells Australia's stories like no other, not even Banjo Patterson. My all time favourite is "Turning to White", this one is not an Australian tale, rather his interpretation of an American Novel, the Australian screen play, Jindabine, was written telling the story of this song from an aussie perspective.

JoeBloggs80

Totally agree. He is ace

My favourite of his, and by far my favourite Aus christmas song:

OzTennis

Yep, an interesting twist on Christmas like Fairytale of New York - this one is about an imprisoned man writing a letter to his brother saying how much he'll miss Christmas.

Kelly has such an extensive list of songs he's written that he once did an A to Z tour in Australia. He started off at the 1st venue with titles beginning with A and so to Z for the last concert. Depending on your venue that's what you got - part of his repertoire. He's recently done some good stuff with Neil Finn (Crowded House).

scottishcelts

I love that song