Gravy Day
Christmas in Australia is a bit different to much of the world. There’s no snow for starters and it doesn’t get dark until around 9pm. Evening carolling can be done sans candles and probably should as there’s every chance there’ll be a total fire ban, and you’ll risk a hefty fine if caught outside with a naked flame.*
But that said, many European Christmas traditions are entrenched in Australia. In the lead-up to December 25 most households will put up a Christmas tree, Santa will be spotted in almost every shopping centre, and kids start to get excited about what treasures may miraculously appear for them in a just few more sleeps.
For many families, it’s the one day of the year that everyone gets together. Even those who don’t share a Christian heritage or faith will use the opportunity to catch up, courtesy of the one public holiday that almost all business and institutions observe. So, in the lead-up to Christmas Day, many people are kept busy with the requisite shopping, cooking and preparing for the big family get-together.
In recent years, one of these days has acquired its own unofficial name. December 21 is increasingly referred to as Gravy Day. And it’s all because of a song.
Almost 30 years ago, one of Australia’s best loved singer-songwriters penned a song about being together for Christmas, written from the viewpoint of someone who despite wanting to, couldn’t be with his family. He was in prison.
Singer-songwriter Paul Kelly, as depicted on the wall of the Espy Hotel, St Kilda
How to Make Gravy was Paul Kelly’s contribution to a Christmas album in 1996. The idea was that various musicians would each record a well-known Christmas song or carol for a charity fundraising album. But the song that Kelly wanted to record had already been selected by another artist, so he agreed to have a go at writing his own.
Inspired by the themes of longing for home and the way things used to be, as captured in the classic White Christmas, Kelly imagines a prison inmate writing a letter to his brother:
“Hello, Dan, it’s Joe here, I hope you’re keeping well
It’s the twenty-first of December, and now they’re ringing the last bells”
In Joe’s world, he usually makes the gravy for the roast the family enjoys together for lunch on Christmas Day. He writes, “Who’s gonna make the gravy now? I bet it won’t taste the same”
He goes on with a few reminders of how to do it properly, before the torment of his position takes over and in a stream of consciousness unfurls his regret, disappointment and jealously.
It’s a real tearjerker and certainly not your traditional Christmas song. Aussies love it.
You can guarantee that on Gravy Day radio stations around the country will be playing Kelly’s song. And when we hear it, despite the Christmas parties, family get-togethers and other joyous festivities at this time of year, we’ll be reminded that not everyone can celebrate or be with loved ones this Christmas.
I hope that you can.
* either for non-compliance with a Fire Prevention Notice or indecent exposure, depending on what type of naked flame you have
