The Green Manalishi
Peter Green · Songbook-A Tribute [2008]
And the full moon looks
And the night is so black
That the darkness cooks
And you come sneaking around
Making me do things I don't want to do
I can't believe
That you need my love so bad
Always come creeping around
Trying to drive me mad
Busting in all my dreams
Making me see things I don't wanna see
'Cause you're the Green Manalishi
With the two pronged crown
All my trying is up
All your bringing us down
Just take my love and slip away
Leaving me here just trying to keep from following you
The Green Manalishi
Peter Green's 'The Green Manalishi' stands as a defining moment in his solo career, capturing the mystical and often melancholic atmosphere that characterized his later work. Originally composed during his tenure with Fleetwood Mac, the track explores themes of temptation and spiritual struggle through a haunting blues-rock arrangement. This recording, featured on the 2008 tribute album Songbook, highlights Green's distinctive guitar tone and emotive vocal delivery. The song reflects his deep engagement with psychedelic blues, blending traditional structures with surreal lyrical imagery. As a key song in his discography, it demonstrates the enduring influence of his songwriting and his ability to craft atmospheric soundscapes that resonate with listeners decades after their initial release.