From Little Things Big Things Grow (Kelly/Carmody)

Subject: Folklore: From little things big things(K Carmody)
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 09:44 PM

A certain song is attaining fame - those of you who are not in Australia might like to catch up.

"From little things big things grow"

It truly is a 'Folk Song' in the old sense - it also documents the birth of the land rights movement in 1966 when Vincent Lingiarri led a walkoff of Gurindji drovers and reclaimed Wattie Creek. It is an inspiring ballad whose title neatly sums up how justice can be won by ordinary people. It was allefedly co-written by Paul Kelly for the episode of the SBS television documentary Bloodbrothers which looked at Carmody and his music. See below for ABC Documentary of same story.

Words

Kev Carmody links


Kev originally did this in 6/8, but a new CD - a tribute to him - does this in 2/4 - and he is delighted at how the song has a new life. He is not jealous of others taking his work and modifying it - he seems annoyed at the idea that 'some people OWN some songs'...

Btw, he grew up in the Bush, listening to the ABC Radio - and devoured both 'Hillbilly Music' - that which later grew into "Country Music" and Classical music - he loves Bach Fuges.

Wiki on Kev Carmody

The Gurindji Strike Broadcast 6.30pm on 05/07/2004 by the ABC

Subject: RE: From little things big things grow (Kelly/Carm
From: Joe Offer
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 01:38 AM

Related thread: Political songs on Aboriginal rights

Subject: RE: From little things big things grow (Kelly/Carmody)
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 04 May 08 - 04:51 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: From little things big things grow (Kelly/Carmody)
From: Wizzle
Date: 04 May 08 - 05:46 AM

i am new to this site and finding my way around so be kind to me

Subject: RE: From little things big things grow (Kelly/Carmody)
From: quokka
Date: 04 May 08 - 07:38 AM

Welcome, Wizzle. I'm still a Mudcat baby of a few weeks old. Be careful, it's addictive!
Quokka

Subject: RE: From little things big things grow (Kelly/Carm
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 04 May 08 - 08:31 AM

When I went to the "Words" link in Foolestroupe's post of 30 March 07, above, it showed the lyrics for a split second, then they were replaced by a page mostly about the new remix of the song. I found that if I hit the "stop loading" button fast enough, I could still get the words (to the original version).

Subject: RE: From little things big things grow (Kelly/Carmody)
From: Azizi
Date: 04 May 08 - 09:50 AM

Welcome, Wizzle and quokka and other new Mudcat members and guests!

**

Foolestroupe, I'm sorry. I didn't know that you had started a thread about this song, and I started another one. Here's the blue clicky for that thread:
From Little Things Big Things Grow song

Maybe these two threads should be combined.

Subject: Lyr Add: FROM LITTLE THINGS BIG THINGS GROW
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 20 Nov 11 - 09:12 PM

Lyrics copied from Paul Kelly's web site. I have "wikified" it a bit for people who (like me) did not know the back story.


FROM LITTLE THINGS BIG THINGS GROW
Paul Kelly & Kev Carmody

Gather round, people; I'll 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.
Eighteen quid a week you'll have in your hand."
Vincent said, "Uh-uh, 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.

Subject: RE: From little things big things grow (Kelly/Carmody)
From: Neil D
Date: 21 Nov 11 - 05:53 PM

Great song! If you've never heard it here is my favorite version from Youtube.

Subject: RE: From little things big things grow (Kelly/Carmody)
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 21 Nov 11 - 06:46 PM

Regret to inform all that this song is now most frequently encountered here in OZ as the soundtrack for a TV commercial for retirement funds.

Subject: RE: From Little Things Big Things Grow (Kelly/Carmody)
From: Helen
Date: 27 Jun 22 - 05:34 PM

Indigenous songwriter
Kev Carmody opens up about his secret stolen childhood

Also, it's NAIDOC Week from 3rd to 10th July.