Paul Kelly – How To Make Gravy

Happy Gravy Day in Australia! It happens every December 21st in Australia because of the first verse of the song.

Here is a Christmas song that is good on any day of the year but one we don’t hear much in America. I looked up “Gravy Day” in Australia and this is what I found: Gravy Day is an unofficial Australian holiday as marked by Kelly in his song, How to Make Gravy. The song is written from the perspective of a recently incarcerated man, Joe, as he writes to his relative, Dan, from prison.

Paul Kelly: “I started thinking… maybe I’ll write it from the point of view of somebody who is missing Christmas, who can’t get to Christmas, why can’t they get there? Maybe they’re overseas and they can’t get home. Then I thought, ‘Oh, he’s in prison’. The song wrote itself from there.”

The song is written in the form of a letter from a prisoner named Joe, addressed to his brother Dan, shortly before Christmas. Joe expresses regret about missing Christmas with his family, gives instructions on how to make gravy (a key part of their holiday meal), and reflects on family members, relationships, and the pain of separation.

I like great storytellers…and Paul Kelly is one of them. His music touches on many styles. Country, rock, folk, reggae, bluegrass,  and touches of many more styles. He has been described as the poet laureate of Australian music. He writes about everyday life that many people can relate to. I’ve seen this stated about him… Paul Kelly’s songs dig deep into Australia’s culture.

As for who will make the gravy in the song, the question has been debated over the years, although most believe it to be Dan as Joe is sharing the recipe with him.

And yes the recipe in the song is real for gravy. 

Gravy Day

Paul Kelly: “It was a song that doesn’t have a chorus, it’s set in prison, so I never thought it would be a hit song or anything.”

How To Make The Gravy

Hello Dan, it’s Joe here
I hope you’re keeping well
It’s the 21st of December
And now they’re ringing the last bells
If I get good behaviour
I’ll be out of here by July
Won’t you kiss my kids on Christmas Day?
Please don’t let ’em cry for me

I guess the brothers are driving down from Queensland
And Stella’s flying in from the coast
They say it’s gonna be a hundred degrees, even more maybe
But that won’t stop the roast
Who’s gonna make the gravy now?
I bet it won’t taste the same
Just add flour, salt, a little red wine
And don’t forget a dollop of tomato sauce
For sweetness and that extra tang

And give my love to Angus, and to Frank and Dolly
Tell ’em all I’m sorry, I screwed up this time
And look after Rita, I’ll be thinking of her
Early Christmas morning when I’m standing in line

I hear Mary’s got a new boyfriend
I hope he can hold his own
Do you remember the last one? What was his name again?
Ahh, just a little too much cologne
And Roger, you know I’m even gonna miss Roger
‘Cause there’s sure as hell no one in here I want to fight

Oh, praise the Baby Jesus, have a Merry Christmas
I’m really gonna miss it, all the treasure and the trash
And later in the evening, I can just imagine
You’ll put on Junior Murvin and push the tables back

And you’ll dance with Rita, I know you really like her
Just don’t hold her too close
Oh, brother, please don’t stab me in the back
I didn’t mean to say that, it’s just my mind it plays up
Multiplies each matter, turns imagination into fact

You know I love her badly, she’s the one to save me
I’m gonna make some gravy, I’m gonna taste the fat
Ahh, tell her that I’m sorry, yeah, I love her badly
Tell ’em all I’m sorry, and kiss the sleepy children for me
You know one of these days, I’ll be making gravy
I’ll be making plenty, I’m gonna pay ’em all back

Yeah, do-do-do-do, do-do
Do-do-do-do, do-do

…

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

37 thoughts on “Paul Kelly – How To Make Gravy”

    1. Happy Gravy Day as well! I don’t know Randy…it doesn’t look too bad. I wonder if today is mentioned in New Zealand as well? I meant to ask Obbverse yesterday.

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      1. Max, may I offer you my comment to Randy (below) an explet- explanation of the wonderful and cherished bond between good little ol’ NZ and our big brash Aussie ‘ mates…’

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    1. Ooh Randy, you’re looking for a fight this time of peace and goodwill to Man??? It’s them Aussies who try to claim almost anything Kiwi as fair dinkum Aussie! Think of the US/Canadian rivalry and you’ll get the picture. But nah, we haven’t appropriated PK’s song over here. But we do- more often than not- have a mainly barbecue Christmas, though the old Christmas roast still gets rolled out by the traditionalists. And the tomato sauce (ketchup) bottle takes a real hammering. Start the meal with a full bottle, it’s usually squeezed empty and looking sad and deflated by meals end. Always keep a spare bottle for the relations who like seconds or thirds.

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      2. I read about that…the fan situation…it sounds like it might be a somewhat road/home game for the Vols. Their fans ARE fanatical.

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      4. lol…I do think a win would mean more to TN than Ohio State because it’s been so long for TN to be in this position….but that doesn’t matter…they have to play the game.

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  4. That’s unusual song material & arrangement for a hit song! And to have it semi-officially recognized by the country, wow! Good for him. I don’t know I’d like that particular gravy, but I guess a recipe within a song is a bonus!

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      2. Yea I know what you mean…I’m willing to try but I’m not sure either….the ketchup throws me off.

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  6. Pingback: Paul Kelly – How To Make Gravy – MobsterTiger

    1. It is a good song… yea I have to remember it’s summer there.
      Yea I WAS going to ask if New Zealand even recognized it… thank you Randy!

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