From Little Things Big Things Grow

Lyrics

[Intro: Paul Kelly, Kev Carmody and Tiddas] Oh, well, let's get this in one, eh? (I think that means we have to get it right this time, hm. *Laughs*) Yeah, yeah, oh, we'll get it spot on Six, five, four, three, two, one [Verse 1: Paul Kelly & Kev Carmody] Gather 'round, people, I'll tell you a story An eight-year long story of power and pride British Lord Vestey and Vincent Lingiari Were opposite men on opposite sides Vestey was fat, with money and muscle Beef was his business, broad was his door Vincent was lean, spoke very littlе He had no bank balance, hard dirt was his floor [Chorus: All] From little things, big things grow From littlе things, big things grow [Verse 2: Paul Kelly & Kev Carmody] Gurindji were working for nothin' but rations Where once they had gathered the wealth of the land Daily, the pressure got tighter and tighter Gurindji decided they must make a stand They picked up their swags, started off walkin' At Wattie Creek, they sat 'emselves down Now, it don't sound like much, but it sure got tongues talkin' Back at the homestead and then in the town [Chorus: All] From little things, big things grow From little things, big things grow [Verse 3: Paul Kelly & Kev Carmody] Vestey-man said, "I'll double your wages Seven quid a week you'll have in your hand" Vincent said, "Uh-uh, we're not talkin' about wages We're sittin' right here till we get our land" Vestey-man roared, Vestey-man thundered "You don't stand the chance of a cinder in snow" Vince said, "If we fall, others are risin'" [Chorus: All] From little things, big things grow From little things, big things grow [Verse 4: Paul Kelly & Kev Carmody] Then Vincent Lingiari, he boarded an airplane Landed in Sydney, big city of lights Daily he went round, softly speaking his story To all kinds of men from all walks of life Vincent sat down with them big politicians "This affair," they told him, "it's a matter of state Let us sort it out, why, your people are hungry!" Vincent said, "No thanks, we know how to wait" [Chorus: All] From little things, big things grow From little things, big things grow [Verse 5: Paul Kelly & Kev Carmody] Then Vincent Lingiari returned in an aeroplane Back to his country once more to sit down And he told his people, "Let the stars keep on turnin' We have friends in the south, in the cities and towns" Eight years went by, eight long years of waitin' Till one day a tall stranger appeared in the land And he came with lawyers and came with great ceremony Through Vincent's fingers poured a handful of sand, and [Chorus: All] From little things, big things grow From little things, big things grow [Verse 6] That was the story of Vincent Lingairi This is the story of somethin' much more How power and privilege can not move a people Who know where they stand, and they stand in their law [Chorus: All] From little things, big things grow From little things, big things grow From little things, big things grow From little things, big things grow From little things, big things grow From little things, big things grow From little things, big things grow From little things, big things grow