Originally Posted By: Gary Weder
Hi Ray.
I am discovering new elements and layers to this song with each listen.From the driving guitars to the stirring vocals and harmonies. The narrative of this song is very timely as the newly released 'Palace letters' have revealed then governor-general Sir John Kerr sacked the Whitlam government in 1975 without giving advance notice to the Queen.
Gough was a larger than life character who wore his heart on his sleeve and was highly respected by both sides of politics.
Ray sang >"He wouldn't be a clog in the machine"<
Yep. So different to todays "bought and paid for" pollies.
Great song Ray and nice cameo of Little Pattie ,Bobby Limb et al.

Thanks Gary,
Chuck Faulkner too!
I had a younger chap, from Sydney, on a different forum declare that Whitlam was less than Hawke and, further, that Gough'd not done anything for him. I was sad that a man in his 40s could be so wrong and so narrow in his view of what has benefited him. I left him a list the rather conservative Sydney Morning herald compiled..there was, of course, no response.
The letters are interesting...clearly the Priv Sec knew what was planned and commented on the process etc and, just as clearly, he'd have reported all to his boss BUT there's no paper trail so Bess is off the hook.
Thanks for your kind words.

Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe