The Great Mandella
Peter Paul And Mary · Other Songs - Peter Paul And Mary
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 jailor
Not to bother
With his meal
Of bread and water today.
He is fasting
Till 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 life.
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.
About The Great Mandella
"The Great Mandella" is a 1962 folk-rock recording by Peter, Paul, and Mary, marking a pivotal shift in their sound from traditional folk to a more polished, rock-oriented style. The song, written by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, features the trio's signature harmonies layered over a driving rock rhythm, showcasing their versatility and ability to adapt to new musical currents. Released during the height of the folk revival, the track exemplifies the group's transition into a broader audience, blending acoustic intimacy with electric energy. It remains a significant song in their discography, reflecting the collaborative spirit of the era and the enduring appeal of their vocal blend. The song stands as a testament to the group's evolution and their contribution to the folk-rock genre of the early 1960s.