"The Great Mandella (The Wheel Of Life)" Peter Yarrow cover

An anti-war protest song. I dedicate my cover version to the memory and message of anti-war protestor Malachi Ritscher. Although I do not endorse his ultimate method of protest -- self-immolation -- I wish to honor his commitment and his intention and his sacrifice. Read his own words:
http://www.savagesound.com/gallery99.htm

And an essay by Jeff Dorchen:
http://mejeffdorchen.oblivio.com/moments/moment_suicide.html

A website dedicated to Malachi:
http://www.iheardyoumalachi.org/who.html

"The Great Mandella (The Wheel of Life)"
(by Peter Yarrow)

So I told him that he'd better shut his mouth
And do his job like a man.
And he answered "Listen, Father,
I will never kill another."
He thinks he's better
than his brother that died.
What the hell does he think he's doing
To his father who brought him up right?

Take your place on The Great Mandella
As it moves through your brief moment of time.
Win or lose now you must choose now
And if you lose you're only losing your life.

Tell the jailer not to bother
With his meal of bread and water today.
He is fasting 'til the killing's over
He's a martyr, he thinks he's a prophet.
But he's a coward, he's just playing a game
He can't do it, he can't change it
It's been going on for ten thousand years.

Take your place on The Great Mandella
As it moves through your brief moment of time.
Win or lose now you must choose now
And if you lose you're only losing your mind.

Tell the people they are safe now
Hunger stopped him, he lies still in his cell.
Death has gagged his accusations
We are free now, we can kill now,
We can hate now, now we can end the world
We're not guilty, he was crazy
And it's been going on for ten thousand years!

Take your place on The Great Mandella
As it moves through your brief moment of time.
Win or lose now you must choose now
And if you lose you've only wasted your life.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• great
• mandella
• mandala
• wheel
• life
• peter
• yarrow
• paul
• mary
• anti
• war
• protest
• song
• peace
• tom
• gross
• malachi
• ritscher

[sirslice]

Point of interest: The song is The Great "Mandala" as in universe. I'm guessing with the notoriety of Nelson Medella it's easy to make the spelling mistake, then again it can take away from the meaning of the song title.

[tommiji]

Thanks. Actually, that's the way PP&M spelled it on their 1967 release 'Album 1700'. I'm not sure if they knew about Mr. Mandella back then. It can be confusing now that he's so famous. I was going to correct the spelling when I first posted this. I guess I still can... maybe I will. Thx again!

[rsvlruffels]

this is a great song. the most chilling/ listen to it/

[tommiji]

hey, glad you like it! thanks for stopping by!

[RAGINGGranny1]

Beautiful version of a song I haven't thought of for years until someone mentioned it on the Mike Malloy show last night. Very nice job, Tommiji -- you put your heart and soul into this very profound song.  Thank you.

[tommiji]

Gosh, thanks! I appreciate your kind words. I remember this song having a deep impact when I heard it as a very young man. Unfortunately the irrational impulse for war that it addresses is still an issue we have to deal with. :-(

[Sitarfixer]

Powerful song ! Shame it is so timely today. I fear generations from now will say the same hearing this song. Can you imagine it being sung in Arabic !?! A solid spot on performance by you. Forceful presentation without the hard sell. Thank you, good Sir. You are a fine musician !

[whiteice100]

I always loved this song ...

[kyasa86]

Well done my man.

Had a hankering for some PP&M...listened to stewball and remembered this song. Was dissapointed not to find their version of this song but you did a great job.

Powerful song,thanks TOMMIJI

[oldflamingo]

Haven't listened to this song much since "Album 1700"..but the lyrics blow through my head regularly.... Some things never chnge, do they?

[meanwiddlekid]

Boooooooooooo!