Official studio version
A one, two, three, four!
One, two, three, four!
At sixteen she quit high school to make a fortune in the Promised Land
She got a job behind the counter in an all-night hamburger stand
She wrote faithfully home to mama, "now mama don't you worry none"
From small things, mama, big things one day come
It was late one Friday, he pulled in out of the dark
He was tall and handsome, first she took his order then she took his heart
They bought a house on the hillside, where little feet soon would run
From small things, mama, big things one day come
Oh but love is fleeting, it's sad but true
When your heart is beating, you don't wanna hear the news
She packed her bags and with a Wyomie County real estate man
She ran down to Tampa in an "El Dorado Grande"
She wrote back, "dear mama, life is just heaven in the sun
From small things, mama, big things one day come"
Come on Max!
Well she shot him dead on a sunny Florida road
And when they caught her all she said was she couldn't stand the way he drove
Back home dear Johnny prays for his baby's parole
He waits on the hillside where the Wyomie waters roll
At his feet and almost grown now, a blue-eyed daughter and a handsome son
Well from small things, mama, big things one day come
Yeah from small things, mama, big things one day come
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) is a song written by Bruce Springsteen and first released on The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2003 3-disc edition) compilation album. The above lyrics are for Bruce Springsteen's official studio version of FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) as released in 2003.
The official studio version of FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was included on The Ties That Bind: The River Collection box set in 2015.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) is among 25 songs compiled for a 1993 project that never came to fruition. See the "1993 Concept Album" section below for more details.
Springsteen donated FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) to Dave Edmunds who recorded and released the song in 1982 album D.E. 7th. See Dave Edmunds's cover version for more details.
Bruce Springsteen frequently performed FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) live in small clubs in 1982 and 1983 (and also later in 1989 and 1991), mostly at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ. See the "Live History: Off-Tour" section below for more details. He would come The Stone Pony to hear Cats On A Smooth Surface about once a week (Sunday nights), and often get onstage to jam with the band. Cats On A Smooth Surface was Bobby Bandiera's band and was The Stone Pony's house band for 15 years.
According to Sony's logs of Bruce Springsteen's studio sessions, FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was recorded on 02 Sep 1979 at The Power Station in New York City, NY. Only one studio take of the song has surfaced; it's the official studio version (first released in 2003) and it must have been recorded during that 02 Sep 1979 session at The Power Station.
In his 2012 book E Street Shuffle: The Glory Days Of Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Clinton Heylin revealed that in 1993 a 25-song compilation was produced for an archival project, which presumably became the Tracks box set released in 1998. According to Brucebase, the archival concept "album" was produced in-house, presumably following the conclusion of World Tour 1992-1993, perhaps to demonstrate the quality of Springsteen's unreleased archive.
Many of these 25 songs have been subsequently released, either on the Tracks box set or as part of other projects, and some others are known outtakes that are yet to circulate among fans. However, two are only known from this 25-song list: ARNIE and THAT'S OKAY.
The Essential Bruce Springsteen is a compilation album released as part of Sony BMG'S (previously Sony Music Entertainment) series of "Essential" sets. According to Springsteen's liner notes comments, the collection was intended as an introduction to his music for new fans who attended shows on The Rising Tour.
The collection is fundamentally a 2-disc set (clocking at 153:37) compiling songs from all of Springsteen's studio albums to date plus his Live In New York City release. A 3-disc limited edition (clocking at 201:04) was also released. It includes a bonus third disc comprising of a selection of rarities and previously unreleased recordings.
The Essential Bruce Springsteen was released on 11 Nov 2003 on Columbia Records. It debuted and peaked at #14 on the U.S. Billboard 200 album chart where it spent 13 weeks. It also reached #28 on the UK Albums Chart. The album was awarded certified gold and platinum records by the RIAA on 16 Dec 2003.
Disc 1:
Disc 2:
Disc 3:
The Essential Bruce Springsteen was reissued on 16 Oct 2015, this time as a 2-disc set (clocking at 156:25) with an updated track list, compiling songs from all of Springsteen's studio albums to date plus his Greatest Hits (1995 edition) collection. This 2015 reissue features remastered tracks not found in that form on other Springsteen releases.
Disc 1:
Disc 2:
Bruce Springsteen's liner notes in The Essential Bruce Springsteen album booklet:
Cut at the power station in NY in '79. I busted out my Gretsch "country gentleman" guitar and the band drove the hell out of it in a take or two. I played this song for Dave Edmunds backstage in '80 and he made a great record of it.
The Ties That Bind: The River Collection is a Bruce Springsteen box set released in 2015 on Columbia Records to celebrate the 35th anniversary of The River album. The 10"x12" box set contains four CDs, two Blu-Ray discs or three DVDs, and a hardcover 148-page coffee table book featuring 200 mostly unseen studio and live photographs, pages from Springsteen's notebooks, single covers, images and outtakes from the original album package, and other memorabilia documenting the album, plus a new essay by Mikal Gilmore. The box set was announced on 16 Oct 2015 and released to retail on 04 Dec 2015.
The first two discs consist of the 2014 remastered version of The River album. The third disc contains The River: Single Album, a 10-track album originally planned for release in 1979, under the title "The Ties That Bind". "The songs lacked the kind of unity and conceptual intensity I liked my music to have. So we went back in the studio," Springsteen wrote in his 1998 book Songs. He scrapped the project and went on to rework some of the songs and write and record some others, leading to the double-disc release the following year. All but one of these ten tracks were previously released.
| 1. | THE TIES THAT BIND | Different version previously released on The River |
| 2. | CINDY | Previously unreleased |
| 3. | HUNGRY HEART | Previously released on The River |
| 4. | STOLEN CAR | Previously released on Tracks |
| 5. | BE TRUE | Previously released as a B-side and on Tracks |
| 6. | THE RIVER | Previously released on The River |
| 7. | YOU CAN LOOK (BUT YOU BETTER NOT TOUCH) | Different version previously released on The River |
| 8. | THE PRICE YOU PAY | Different version previously released on The River |
| 9. | I WANNA MARRY YOU | Previously released on The River |
| 10. | LOOSE ENDS | Previously released on Tracks |
The fourth discs contains The River: Outtakes, a 22-track album collection consisting of outtakes from the 1979-1980 sessions that didn't make the cut for either the single- or double-album versions of The River. The CD is divided into two parts, "Record One" (the first 11 tracks) and "Record Two" (the remaining 10 tracks). The former consists of unreleased songs while the latter consists of previously released songs.
| 1. | MEET ME IN THE CITY | Previously unreleased |
| 2. | THE MAN WHO GOT AWAY | Previously unreleased |
| 3. | LITTLE WHITE LIES | Previously unreleased |
| 4. | THE TIME THAT NEVER WAS | Previously unreleased |
| 5. | NIGHT FIRE | Previously unreleased |
| 6. | WHITETOWN | Previously unreleased |
| 7. | CHAIN LIGHTNING | Previously unreleased |
| 8. | PARTY LIGHTS | Previously unreleased |
| 9. | PARADISE BY THE "C" | Live version previously released on Live/1975-85 |
| 10. | STRAY BULLET | Previously unreleased |
| 11. | MR. OUTSIDE | Previously unreleased |
| 12. | ROULETTE | Previously released on Tracks |
| 13. | RESTLESS NIGHTS | Previously released on Tracks |
| 14. | WHERE THE BANDS ARE | Previously released on Tracks |
| 15. | DOLLHOUSE | Previously released on Tracks |
| 16. | LIVING ON THE EDGE OF THE WORLD | Previously released on Tracks |
| 17. | TAKE 'EM AS THEY COME | Previously released on Tracks |
| 18. | RICKY WANTS A MAN OF HER OWN | Previously released on Tracks |
| 19. | I WANNA BE WITH YOU | Previously released on Tracks |
| 20. | MARY LOU | Previously released on Tracks |
| 21. | HELD UP WITHOUT A GUN | Previously released as a B-side |
| 22. | FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) | Previously released on The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2003 3-disc edition) |
The fifth disc contains the 60-minute documentary, The Ties That Bind, produced and directed by Grammy and Emmy-winning filmmaker Thom Zimny. The documentary features an intimate interview with Bruce Springsteen as he reflects on writing and recording of The River. The film transitions between Springsteen telling the stories behind the music ─ and illustrating them with solo acoustic guitar performances ─ interspersed with period concert footage and rare photos of him and the band in and out of the studio.
The sixth disc (on the Blu-Ray release) or sixth and seventh disc (on the DVD release) feature(s) The River Tour, Tempe 1980, a new professionally shot film consisting of 24 songs from Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band's 05 Nov 1980 concert at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. The film uses four cameras and is recorded in multitrack audio and clocks at 2 hours and 40 minutes. The tapes were edited by Thom Zimny and the audio was mixed by Bob Clearmountain and mastered by Bob Ludwig.
The ten songs that are not included on The River Tour, Tempe 1980 (DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN, INDEPENDENCE DAY, FACTORY, RACING IN THE STREET, CANDY'S ROOM, THE TIES THAT BIND, STOLEN CAR, WRECK ON THE HIGHWAY, POINT BLANK, and BACKSTREETS) were later officially released on Live.BruceSpringsteen.net.
The last disc also contains The River Tour Rehearsals, which consists of a 5-song 20-minute bonus footage from Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band's private rehearsals in late September 1980 at Clair Brothers Audio in Lititz, PA. Springsteen and the band can be seen working through live arrangements of what was then unreleased material from the upcoming album.
Other versions of FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) were also officially released.
Prior to its released on The Essential Bruce Springsteen, a slightly different mix of the official studio version of FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) appeared on The Definitive River Outtakes Collection Volume 2 (E. St. Records) [disc 1, track 05] bootleg.
The version found on The Essential Bruce Springsteen is "unedited"; at the beginning of the song the recording engineer can be heard saying "Take number 22".
In preparation for the Tunnel Of Love Express Tour, FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) is known to have been practiced during at least one of the private rehearsals that took place in late January and early February 1988 at Expo Theater in Fort Monmouth, NJ, prior to the tour's first leg. The song was not played on any of the tour's regular dates.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed twice during The Rising Tour (120 dates, August 2002 to October 2003). The second of these performances, from 28 Aug 2003 in East Rutherford, NJ, featured a guest appearance by Bobby Bandiera. See the live 28 Aug 2003 version for more details. Note that the song was sound-checked earlier on the tour, on 05 Dec 2002 in Toronto, Canada.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed twice during the Magic Tour (100 dates, October 2007 to August 2008).
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed once during the Working On A Dream Tour (83 dates, April to November 2009), on 30 May 2009 in Landgraaf, The Netherlands.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed twice during the Wrecking Ball Tour (133 dates, March 2012 to September 2013).
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed twice during the High Hopes Tour (34 dates, January to May 2014). Audio recordings for most High Hopes Tour shows are officially available for purchase.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed off-tour on 27 Jun 1982 at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, during a guest appearance with Cats On A Smooth Surface.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed off-tour on 25 Jul 1982 at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, during a guest appearance with Cats On A Smooth Surface.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed off-tour on 07 Aug 1982 at Big Man's West in Red Bank, NJ, during a guest appearance with Beaver Brown.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed off-tour on 08 Aug 1982 at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, during a guest appearance with Cats On A Smooth Surface.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed off-tour on 15 Aug 1982 at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, during a guest appearance with Cats On A Smooth Surface.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed off-tour on 04 Sep 1982 at Big Man's West in Red Bank, NJ, during a guest appearance with Beaver Brown.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed off-tour on 18 Sep 1982 at Big Man's West in Red Bank, NJ, during a guest appearance with Dave Edmunds.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed off-tour on 19 Sep 1982 at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, during a guest appearance with Cats On A Smooth Surface.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed off-tour on 21 Sep 1982 at Peppermint Lounge in New York City, NY, during a guest appearance with Dave Edmunds.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed off-tour on 25 Sep 1982 at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, during a guest appearance with Cats On A Smooth Surface.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed off-tour on 03 Oct 1982 at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, during a guest appearance with Cats On A Smooth Surface.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed off-tour on 03 Dec 1982 at The Keystone in Palo Alto, CA, during a guest appearance with Clarence Clemons and the Band.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed off-tour on 24 Apr 1983 at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, during a guest appearance with Cats On A Smooth Surface.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed off-tour on 28 Dec 1983 at Monmouth Arts Center in Red Bank, NJ, during a guest appearance at La Bamba's "Holiday Hurrah" Christmas benefit concert in aid of Monmouth County Big Brother.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed off-tour on 23 Jul 1989 at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, during a guest appearance with Cats On A Smooth Surface.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed off-tour on 16 Aug 1989 at Cheers in Long Branch, NJ, during a guest appearance with Bobby Bandiera.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed off-tour on 12 Jul 1991 at McLoone's Rum Runner at Sea Bright, NJ, during a guest appearance with Bobby Bandiera.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed off-tour on 28 Jun 1993 at Tradewinds in Sea Bright, NJ, during a guest appearance with Clarence Clemons & The Red Bank Rockers.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed off-tour on 02 Dec 2004 at Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, PA, during the "Flood Aid '04" benefit concert. The song was played with Joe Grushecky & The Houserockers. See the live 02 Dec 2004 version for more details.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed off-tour on 19 Dec 2004 at Harry's Roadhouse in Asbury Park, NJ, during both holiday jam shows that took place that day.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed off-tour on 13 Oct 2007 at Max & Becky Weinberg Residence at Atlantic Highlands, NJ, during a guest appearance with the Max Weinberg 7. This was the "Kick Up Your Paws" benefit for the Monmouth County SPCA, hosted by Max and Becky Weinberg.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed during the fourth (2003), fifth (2004), and fifteenth (2015) annual Light Of Day benefits.
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed during one of the three 2003 Asbury Park holiday shows. These concerts were billed as "Bruce Springsteen with The Max Weinberg 7 and Friends", with The Max Weinberg 7 serving as the house band, and Springsteen bringing guests on and off the stage throughout the shows. See the live 05 Dec 2003 version for more details.
Between 2002 and 2011, Bruce Springsteen played private benefit shows for schools and colleges that his kids attended ─ Rumson Country Day School of Rumson, NJ, and Ranney School of Tinton Falls, NJ, and Boston College of Chestnut Hill, MA. FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) was performed at 7 of these fundraisers, always at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, and backed by Bobby Bandiera and his band.
At least 18 artists have recorded and released Bruce Springsteen's FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME).
Please contact me if you have scans for or info about any official release containing Bruce Springsteen's official studio version of FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) or a cover of it that's not mentioned on this page. I also need scans for the following releases:
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List of available versions of FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) on this website:
FROM SMALL THINGS (BIG THINGS ONE DAY COME) [Official studio version]
