Omari Gates
Paul Kelly is a popular Australian singer-songwriter. In 1996, he wrote the song 'How to Make Gravy' for the charity album 'Spirit of Christmas'. The song is about a man named Joe, who is in prison over Christmas. In the song, Joe writes a letter to his brother Dan, telling him how to make the gravy and reminiscing about how the family traditionally spends Christmas together. The song has become a cult classic, with Kelly's fans designating 21 December—the date mentioned in the song—as the official 'How to Make Gravy' day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song Title | How to Make Gravy |
| Singer | Paul Kelly |
| Genre | Christmas song, Country, Rock, Folk, Reggae, Bluegrass |
| Song Duration | 5 minutes |
| Chorus | No recognisable chorus |
| Setting | Prison |
| Lyrics | 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 |
| Recipe | Just add flour, salt, a little red wine, and don't forget a dollop of tomato sauce for sweetness and that extra tang |
| Cultural Significance | An Australian institution, celebrated as Gravy Day on 21 December |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The letter writer, Joe, is incarcerated and won't be home for Christmas
- Joe writes to his brother, Dan, who will be making the gravy
- Joe details the recipe for the gravy: flour, salt, red wine, and tomato sauce
- Joe asks Dan to pass on his love and apologies to his family
- Joe expresses his longing to be with his family and his sadness at missing Christmas
The letter writer, Joe, is incarcerated and won't be home for Christmas
Paul Kelly's song "How to Make Gravy" is a unique take on a Christmas song, told from the perspective of a recently incarcerated man, Joe, who writes a letter to his brother, Dan, from prison. Joe is a character from Kelly's imagination, but the gravy recipe in the song is a family standard passed down by Kelly's father-in-law.
In the song, Joe traditionally makes the gravy at the family Christmas, but this year, he won't be there. It's four days before Christmas, the 21st of December, and Joe is writing to Dan to let him know how to make the gravy and to reminisce about how the family traditionally spends their Christmas Day together. Joe mentions that if he gets good behaviour, he'll be out of prison by July and asks Dan to kiss his children on Christmas Day and not let them cry for him. He also mentions that their brothers are driving down from Queensland and Stella is flying in from the coast, and despite the heat, there will still be a roast.
The song has become an Australian institution, with Gravy Day on the 21st of December being celebrated by fans each year. It's a bittersweet song, as Joe laments missing Christmas with his family, but it also showcases Kelly's ability to convey the emotions and feelings of a situation, making the listener feel like they are part of the song's world.
Despite its lack of a recognisable chorus and its setting in prison, "How to Make Gravy" has become a beloved Christmas classic in Australia, with Kelly himself touring a series of concerts around the country named after the song. The combination of Christmas tradition and proud Australiana has made the song a lasting favourite, with its cross-generational appeal continuing to grow over time.
Australia's Construction Market: Size and Scope
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Joe writes to his brother, Dan, who will be making the gravy
Hey Dan,
It's your brother, Joe, writing to you. I hope you're doing well. I'm writing this letter to you from prison. It's the 21st of December, and I know that everyone will be coming together for Christmas soon. I know I won't be there, but I want to make sure that our traditions continue, especially when it comes to the gravy. I know I'm usually the one making it, but this year, I need you to take the lead.
I know you're capable, and I want to share the recipe with you. It's a family standard, passed down from Dad. Start with some flour, salt, a little red wine, and don't forget the tomato sauce for that extra tang and sweetness. It's all about that balance of flavours. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water, and I wish I could be there to taste it.
I bet the weather is heating up, but that won't stop our family from having a roast. I can just picture all of you together—the brothers driving down from Queensland, and Stella flying in from the coast. Give everyone my love, especially Rita. I know you'll take care of her, and don't worry, I won't hold it against you if you dance with her. Just don't stab me in the back, brother!
I'll be out of here by July with good behaviour. Please kiss my kids on Christmas Day and don't let them cry for me. I'll be thinking of all the treasure and trash of our family gatherings, and I'll be making gravy again soon, I promise. I'll be making plenty, and I'll pay 'em all back.
Your brother,
Joe
Peru vs Australia: A Size Comparison
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Joe details the recipe for the gravy: flour, salt, red wine, and tomato sauce
In Paul Kelly's song, "How to Make Gravy", Joe details a recipe for gravy in a letter to his brother, Dan. Joe is incarcerated and won't make it home for Christmas, so he writes to Dan, sharing the family recipe for gravy.
Joe starts the recipe by listing the ingredients: flour, salt, red wine, and tomato sauce. He then gives instructions on how to prepare the gravy. He tells Dan to add the flour and salt to taste, along with a "little" red wine. The tomato sauce is for "sweetness and that extra tang", as Joe says.
The recipe is a family tradition, passed down to Kelly by his then father-in-law when he was married to Hilary Brown. Although Joe is a fictional character, the recipe is real and has become a beloved part of the song's legacy.
The song has become an Australian institution, with Gravy Day on the 21st of December celebrated by fans each year. It has also come to represent the combination of Christmas tradition and proud Australiana, as described by cultural sociologist Ben Green.
Big Brother Australia: Is It On Tonight?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Joe asks Dan to pass on his love and apologies to his family
In the song "How to Make Gravy" by popular Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly, Joe asks Dan to pass on his love and apologies to his family. The song is written from the perspective of Joe, who is incarcerated over Christmas and writes a letter to his brother, Dan, sharing the recipe for gravy and reminiscing about how the family traditionally spends their Christmas Day together.
Joe begins the letter by greeting Dan and noting the date, the 21st of December, which has become known as "Gravy Day" among Australians who celebrate it as an unofficial holiday. Joe mentions that he will be released from prison by July if he maintains good behavior. He asks Dan to kiss his children on Christmas Day and not let them cry for him.
In the next part of the letter, Joe imagines the family gathering for Christmas, with brothers driving down from Queensland and Stella flying in from the coast. He acknowledges that despite the heat, the family will still have their roast. This leads to the question of who will make the gravy, with Joe providing instructions: "Just add flour, salt, a little red wine, and don't forget a dollop of tomato sauce for sweetness and that extra tang."
Joe then asks Dan to give his love to various family members, including Angus, Frank, and Dolly, expressing his regret for his mistakes. He specifically mentions Rita, asking Dan to look after her and sharing his thoughts about their relationship. Joe also mentions missing other family members and even Roger, who he wouldn't mind seeing despite their differences.
The song "How to Make Gravy" has become a beloved Christmas tradition in Australia, with fans celebrating Gravy Day on December 21 each year. It showcases Paul Kelly's ability to capture the emotions and settings of everyday Australian life, connecting with listeners through its combination of Christmas tradition and Australiana.
Australia's Climate Pledge: 2030 Goals and Challenges
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Joe expresses his longing to be with his family and his sadness at missing Christmas
Joe, the song's protagonist, finds himself in prison in the days leading up to Christmas. He longs to be with his family and expresses his sadness at missing their company during the festive season. Writing a letter to his brother, Dan, he reminisces about their family's Christmas traditions, including Joe's signature gravy recipe.
The song captures Joe's emotions as he reflects on his absence from the family gathering. He mentions the date, the 21st of December, noting the ringing of the last bells, a subtle reminder of the passing time and his continued incarceration. Joe's longing for his family is palpable as he asks Dan to kiss his children on Christmas Day and requests that they not be allowed to cry for him.
The narrative continues with Joe's observations about the family's Christmas preparations. He imagines his brothers driving down from Queensland and Stella flying in from the coast, despite the scorching weather. Joe's focus then shifts to the looming Christmas feast, and he asks the question that forms the song's title and central theme: "Who's gonna make the gravy now?"
Joe proceeds to share his gravy recipe, a heartwarming inclusion that adds a layer of authenticity to his character and his relationship with his family. He provides step-by-step instructions, including the addition of flour, salt, a little red wine, and tomato sauce for sweetness and tang.
In the chorus, Joe expresses his love and regret, asking Dan to convey his apologies to the family and emphasizing his longing to be with them: "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."
Joe's character, created by Paul Kelly, embodies the emotions of sadness, longing, and regret, all while capturing the warmth and significance of family traditions during the holidays. His story has resonated with Australians, contributing to the song's enduring popularity and the creation of “Gravy Day" as an unofficial holiday celebrated by fans each year on December 21st.
Mac from Love Island Australia: Height Speculation
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The song is about an incarcerated man named Joe, who is writing to his brother Dan on the 21st of December, explaining how to make gravy for their family Christmas.
Kelly was approached to record a song for the charity album 'The Spirit of Christmas' in 1996. He was inspired by one of his favourite records, 'A Christmas Gift For You' by Phil Spector.
The gravy in the song includes flour, salt, red wine, and tomato sauce.
'Gravy Day' is celebrated by fans of the song on the 21st of December, the day Joe writes his letter in the song.
No, the recipe was a family standard passed down by Kelly's former father-in-law.
