PETER, PAUL & MARY ~ The Great Mandella ~

Peter, Paul & Mary ~ THE GREAT MANDELLA ~ written by Peter Yarrow. This song has been among the most controversial of all their songs. Written by Peter during the height of the Vietnam war.

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[onebaud]

This was one of the most gut ripping songs of the Vietnam era. I was past it and had been discharged in 1962, unlikely to be called back. But I felt this war deeply and had many friends die in it. I still think of this song and I am seventy now. Everyone should listen to this and think. Yes, use your brains and think. THINK

[Scout4Me1]

@onebaud God bless you!

[RURALWARROOM]

Uhh...I believe that it is "mandala" like the Indian art form not "mandella" like Nelson Mandella.

[Scout4Me1]

@RURALWARROOM I just spell it the way the it`s spelled on the album, but I can correct it.

[garysam49]

thanks for posting, saw them sing this at the milwaukee arena back in 1968, had all of their albums. there was always something so powerful about this song.

[Scout4Me1]

Yes, I think this is one of their better songs also.

[kick1950]

My absolute favourite Peter Paul and Mary.... thank you

[threeputt1]

Thanks for posting. One of the most powerfull songs ever written...yes...the wheel of life...

[Antithropocentric]

@Scout4Me1, on the original "Album 1700" it was indeed spelled that way, but on their official site now it's spelled both ways, depending on the link depth. Maybe the site creator got confused, also. "Mandala" seems to be most consistent with the "wheel of life" concept.

[vonfandango]

I just heard this song randomly and I'm so glad I did, the instrumental is fabulous and the song just hits you!! I'm in my 20's and too young to have embraced it in its time but fortunately to me it is timeless and will stick with me forever!!

[donjames150]

@RURALWARROOM you say mandala, they say mandella. I think what's happening is they weren't really into eastern religion



[MurasalaKid318]

The version on the "Lifelines" albums has an extra verse. I grew up listening to that one and didn't hear the original til a few years ago. I prefer the longer one. Regardless, this is, I believe, one of the most powerful songs ever written.

[wiscgaloot]

Thanks so much for posting this! This song plays a key role in one of Spider Robinson's best short stories, "The Magnificent Conspiracy". I hadn't heard this PP&M song before, so I was glad to be able to find it here. Find the story if you can and read it, it is excellent.

[philillie]

If you are not part of the ruling class of any society during their battle times you become either "cannon fodder" or cowards and that has been going on for ten thousand years

[themadlolscientist]

*speechless*

[dumonceauxable]

This song has reverberated in my heart, soul, and mind ever since I first heard it back in the sixties. Haunting is a good word to describe it. It's hard because I have many courageous friends and relatives who have fought in every war - they were risking everything for their country. The best of the best. Yet, killing is wrong. I want to believe that peace is possible without killing. Yet, this world is so broken.

[UNDERGROUND2000]

My college years just came flooding back....