Story Behind The Song
this song was written for Australian Aboriginal activist Rob Riley who died tragically in the mid 1990's. He had been a member of Austrlain's "stolen generation" of Aboriginal children who were forcibly removed from their parents, He had worked tirelessly for reconciliation and justice. His life was an inspiration to many aboriginal and non-aborignal australians, myself included. My own personal encounters with him were life-changing, and this song is a tribute to his spirit and his life's work.
Song Description
Critics have described this song as "uplifting" "inspiring" and "hauntingly beautiful" . It deals with some of life's biggest issues in an accessibly melodic way
| Song Length |
4:14 |
Genre |
Folk - Contemporary, Pop - Standards |
| Tempo |
Medium Slow (91 - 110) |
Lead Vocal |
Female Vocal |
| Mood |
Poignant, Exultant |
Subject |
Determination, Encouragement |
| Similar Artists |
Paul Simon, Tracy Chapman |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
ACCOLADES
hey man of wisdom do you know
how many of us feel the blow
strong in presiding
your gentle confiding
taught me the very thing I needed to know
and now these thoughts are going round inside my head
why do we leave praising ?til somebody?s dead
?cause if we?ve got something to say
why don?t we say it while they?re living
there are accolades to give
for god?s sake, let?s do the giving
while it?s possible
?cause it?s impossible now
yeah it?s impossible now
hey, man of wisdom do you know
how many of us saw you as a hero
and hey, man of wisdom do you know
how many of us are feeling the blow
and now the grief is near exploding in my head
why do we leave praising ?til somebody?s dead
?cause if we?ve got something to say
why don?t we say it while they?re living
there are accolades to give
for god?s sake, let?s do the giving
while it?s possible
?cause it?s impossible now
yeah it?s impossible now
wisdom with its sweet surprises
wisdom in its different guises
wisdom in a voice that lingers still
recognise the past you said
until we do can?t move ahead
and guilt won?t heal
but justice surely will
hey man of wisdom do you know
hey man of wisdom do you know
that if we?ve got something to say
we?re going to say it while they?re living
there are accolades to give
for god?s sake, let?s do the giving
while it?s possible
?cause it?s impossible now
yeah it?s impossible now