THE GREAT MANDALA - Peter Yarrow & Richie Havens

[@ElbertLeeIII]

Absolutely one of the finest antiwar songs of that or any era. And the two of them... damn... two very different but both very honest voices. Damn, I am crying by the end.

[@kayevictor7548]

No kidding...I am weeping too. We desperately need an anthem like this to call forth people of conscience to stand against the current insanity in our national politics. 😥

[@18Windwalker]

I've heard this song forever it seems... and this rendition specifically. Still it makes my heart hurt and brings tears to my eyes. Thank you Peter Yarrow for writing it, and thank you to both you and Richie for the absolute perfect presentation.

[@SherryBoles-q7s]

Richie, you are missed. What a voice!

[@grannyjudi1]

wow EXCELLENT version.....PEACE......now....ty Richie and Peter...

[@cburdie]

I was fortunate to meet and speak with Mr Haven a few years ago .He was a peaceful Gentle man with a wonderful sense of humor. Rest Richie. Sorry you never made it over for supper. Miss you.

[@nhwdk]

Thank you Richie - God bless you. The world is a better place because you passed this way.

[@monstersaint]

Just heard this song for first time. Damn... what a masterpiece.

[@rk41gator]

How did I not get to hear this during the Vietnam War? My ears must have been closed then.

[@nadiasimmons5403]

I love this folk song! The wheel of life.. The Mandala! The spiritual journey! 🙏🏾🌼

[@SherryBoles-q7s]

One of the most powerful songs I've ever heard. I want it to be played at my funeral.

[@SherryBoles-q7s]

Me too

[@paulag.panzermd8239]

Sadly, this doesn’t get old. Still needed - and still MAJESTICALLY sung. Dearly and deeply miss Richie.

[@molliebrower9069]

I've been listeining to this song since the late 60's when I first heard it. It changed my life and helped me understand that the Viet Nam War was wrong, It spawned a generation of more responsibly thinking people. Richie Havens adds a layer of believeabilty to an alreay supremely believeable song.

[@mikescott5624]

Thank you, Mollie. A powerful bit of thought, and tribute, yours. Thank you.

[@BladeBV]

From times when music had a soul!

[@LarryMan51]

Amen BladeBV, so true. Real heart felt songs.

[@genek4789]

RIP Richie... there's a special place for a warm, humble, compassionate soul that is you!

[@photoboyonsi]

That place is within all of us and greater still for those who’ve had the honor and privilege…

[@goodgollymisspolly5163]

This is what I was doing at 14 years of age. Even then, socially aware. Thank you.

[@johnbarber3764]

I had forgotten about this one! I believe it is more relevant than ever today

[@OBDjFH05]

I just can't stop listening to this song...it tears at my soul each time I hear it. You've said it so well...sit down & cry, then get up and protest! Thanks for your comments!!!!

[@lesliesahlen8616]

One of my favorite recordings. Such a powerful song and perfect interpretation. Both voices are divine.

[@jbcring]

This is hands down, the absolute best version of this song! You could not have found two better voices to bring out the feeling in this song.

[@patriciahitchcock6983]

Yes, indeed.

[@LarryMan51]

So true Joy.

[@bilbobaggins8337]

Absolutely

[@BOKO20101]

Havens had a spectacular voice, Yarrows best attribute was writing, and understanding how to deliver a song. Tremendous duo combined here.

[@puckdiv]

Probably one of the best "covers" of this song ever performed.....PP&M's was amazing...but Ritchie Havens has an amazing voice....!

[@ninasanderoff455]

One of the greatest pieces of music ever.

[@lilaccottage5885]

I’ve listened to this version of this song 1000 times. I still hear a new message in different lyrics here and there. It’s amazing.

[@ngwio]

RIP Richie... You will be so missed

[@tad449]

When Ramana Maharshi was dying his students cried 'Don't leave us' Maharshi smiled and said, "Don't be silly, where could I possibly go?" Dearest beautiful man you are even to us all now grace, love and song are not limited by time and bodies

[@Theflowoflove]

Richie your voice always brings tears out of me. R.I.P beloved being. Thank you for this gift of wisdom Peter Yarrow, so heart felt & than you for uploading.

[@molliebrower6353]

My all time favorite protest song by two of my favorite singers. I was privileged to see Richie Havens at Woodstock.. Peter Yarrow is such a gifted song writer and vocalist. I could listen to this over and over and over again! RIP Richie.

[@mikescott5624]

Staggering.

[@raystanton105]

Ritchie Havens voice went through us in just a brief moment of time

[@mariag4677]

Beautifully sung together! I have been blessed to have seen Richie Havens in concert 2 times....the second time I got to meet him and take a picture with him! He was a great soul from an era where he just wanted to share his music....didn't matter if he played on a street corner or large venue, and his voice was such a gift to us all! RIP Richie....your music will live on forever!

[@katherinehunt1774]

I couldn't agree more. I'm Still A Rebel. Thank you, Peter.

[@theofficialbrandon]

I have always loved this song. One of the best anti injustice songs I have ever heard. For me it is deeply rooted in showing how social complacency, will only repeat the cycle of human error. How societies moral code is based on choosing to be blind to some things in our society in order to continue as we have always been. What an amazing time in history for music, some of the greats, I am hard pressed to believe will ever be surpassed.

[@penguinmama88]

may there be peace on earth & may it begin w/us RIP Richie, Peter et alia

[@rheafoster7346]

This remains the same today, a powerful, wonderful, message

[@neilspear4695]

aai first saw this on PBS. I also have the record,(Does that age me?) I have to agree with Richie. It is the best protest song, and the best song Peter ever wrote. Peace.

[@mcfeerr]

Thank you for all the beautiful, powerful music, and for being such a kind, compassionate human. You definitely made this world a better place.

[@jcga30346]

WOW! Two of the greatest enlightened singers of our century.

[@revkbshipp]

Every time I hear this song, I just want to sit down & cry. Then I want to get up & protest! It hits deep, & it is as relevant now as it was when it was written & first sung. &, God Almighty, doncha love Richie Havens' voice!

[@galeluckey3516]

Was at the San Francisco peace march where we were protesting. Such a sight, all those people coming together to peacefully show their views on the Viet Nam war.

[@heatherhansen3781]

This still brings tears to my eyes.

[@Pkatherstudio]

This struck me deeply at the age of 19, just before filing for C O. So nice to know I was not alone.

[@mikescott5624]

Bless you, pal. You did the right thing. Never, ever let anyone tell you otherwise. That undeclared war was rotten to the core, and one of its chief architects,a father of the Edsel, Robert McNamara, refused to let his own son, then in college, go to Vietnam. McNamara told LBJ in 1965 the war was unwinnable--as Generals de Gaulle, MacArthur, Eisenhour had cautioned long before -- and that we should extricate ourselves. But Johnson didn't want to be the first US president to lose a war, even an undeclared one, and you know the rest, McNamara's flood of tears on Charlie Rose's program a few years before his death notwithstanding: "Charlie, when I think of all those boys....we were wrong, we were wrong." McNamara was nearly disconsolate and I'm surprised they didn't stop taping, but am glad they did not.

[@mikescott5624]

Meant only to separate the Generals' clause with hyphens, not strike it.

[@scatterings]

A classic that will never fade!

[@robertp411]

Richie was always a soothing voice. I remember in the late 60s even my mom, a European emigrant, appreciated when my brother or I would put on Mixed Bag. Years later I had the pleasure of having a business meeting w Richie. Mandela is a great 👍🏻 song and it reflects the voice of millions and the pain we felt is present here.

[@ayobamidele]

Wow the first time I've seen Richie sing without his guitar. Love this song from the Nobody Left to Crown album. It's great to get the background and to hear what it meant to him. Thanks for posting. I just subscribed.

[@rodvansanten5037]

Richie Havens voice is perfect for this song. They sound great together.

[@julieannemichelle]

I have always loved this song! I heard it on my sister’s Peter, Paul, and Album. I think it was Album 1700. I was only 12 and I could hear the sadness and intensity and unfairness of the lyrics. At the time I didn’t know who he was.

[@celiaallee6788]

I heard on my cars radio today of the sudden passing of Mr. Havens and many of his songs came to my lips. While I have always loved Peter, Paul and Marys version, I could not think of a better person/singer to join Mr. Yarrow to re-record this. So hauntingly beautiful. When he came to Lihue, Kauai in the mid-70s to raise money for a very small, remote church in Kipahulu, he was elevated to sainthood in my mind! Nobody bothered to do that but him! May peace and comfort be with his family.

[@nutleyguitar1968]

This song gives me chills......Greatly written by Yarrow, and Richie Havens feels this song perfectly.

[@johnshockley1828]

...and yet, the killin's not over. The Great Mandella moves on over a field of tears and broken hearts and bodies.

[@BeachBadger78]

John Shockley And, it shall never stop... simply a matter of who kills & who is killed.

[@blindnarcissus]

Richie = perfection

[@janemillerick9614]

just phenomenal.. I bought the original PP&M album when it came out. thanks so much for this! I remember Ritchie well too; had his lps as well..

[@stratoreverb]

They are fantastic together. Richie use to play between sets of SF rock bands at the old Filmore. He has gotten better with age. What a distinctive voice with so much soul.

[@goodgollymisspolly5163]

I was 14 when this song hit me like a Profound Pie in the Face.

[@TimXJ]

From Boston post-terror, post Richie. I've always been devastated by this masterpiece, but this time, this place, this version, well, I'm reduced to a puddle.

[@billymusicwb]

I miss Richie Havens today. I didn't know him, but I heard him sing at McCabe's Guitar Shop once. I think I'm not the only person who thinks of him as a friend because I saw him sing once in a small venue. I saw Peter Yarrow at S.F. State once in the student lounge. How can singers to that? That can't happen on TV. I miss you, Richie! (Richie Havens died in April of 2013. R.I.P.)

[@wailinburnin]

Billy Sheppard Beautiful sentiment, brother, I know exactly how you feel. This recording is a gem.

[@descartesdonkey4291]

because they're genuine human beings

[@91Kingscrib84]

This throws me back in time, to my buying 'Album 1700'. This song? I love it now, as then. I played it over & over on my old, single-album phonograph. (before I bought my first stereo) This version with Richie couldn't be more beautiful or evocative of that time in history.

[@ifiddle2]

Wow, the best version I’ve heard.

[@iguanadans]

Such a beautiful and haunting song. It gives me goosebumps everytime I hear it.

[@gregnixon1435]

Wow, just wow. Great song, great singers mix!

[@babybro70]

Also just got this as the B-side to "I Dig Rock n Roll Music" which i think is the funkiest PP& M song ever! Incredible

[@kkoo3247]

Richie Havens had such an open personality, you felt you knew him

[@ericynot]

Damn you, Peter Yarrow! I saw this performed yesterday on a PP&M PBS special, and now I can't get it out of my mind. I even woke up in the middle of the night last night and the song was playing in my head. Help me!

[@TheCdancer2012]

I Love You Always you will be in my heart

[@littledevil8275]

I agree with most everyone about an original song being better than a cover. Though, I will admit when an artist with a special gift comes along and and gives their special touch to one of our beloved classics, the goose bumps, chills, and hair raising on the backs of necks tell us a practically perfect union has been achieved. I got that feeling from Disturbed cover of Sound Of Silence, and even Pink's White Rabbit, and even Heart's Tribute to Led Zeppelin's Stairway. As sacred as this song is, I hope someone, some day, an artist, be they either male or female cover this as these 2 masters have given this original!

[@thmoorer]

Wow. A wonderful friend taught me this song back in the " day", but I have never heard it done so beautifully. Thanks, Harley.

[@3wands1215]

timeless... makes me cry so much...

[@Janeandhound]

22 of April, 2013 was the day on which Ritchie Havens passed away; I searched for a fitting song or any song he'd done, appearance he made to post (3 music communities online) and never did this come up. just now heard it for the first time. amazing; thinking it's one of the best things I ever heard him on even if it was not one of his own songs. thanks for this; perfect. although maybe not for Bradley Manning... just this song was in my head and even though it's not orig one, love it!!!

[@trackie1957]

Fabulous. I’ve only known the version on the album - when it was a new song. Still powerful and relevant, probably will be for 10,000 years more.

[@mikescott5624]

And there, Trackie, is the supreme heartbreak. While this song, this version is musically arresting, its message, lyrics may still not have been taken to heart ten millenia hence. Not if national and global situations circa 2023 any indication.

[@VannerIndustrial]

This song has haunted me my entire life.

[@johnwakefield8570]

.. good .. and good idea .. that it haunt you into action ..

[@oogieobanyon]

Thanks.

[@wailinburnin]

Thanks for posting - simply beautiful!

[@trw5653]

So moving... both voices.

[@debbyschaefer8352]

And if you lose, you're only losing your life.

[@deborahfishman7586]

thanks this can be played today for all the lives lost on american soil

[@Theflowoflove]

+Deborah Fishman Surely all life lost everywhere.

[@renaudnato]

Bonjour, Cette voix me manque déjà. Merci pour cette musique

[@PoetlaureateNFDL]

I really like this song, very powerful, thanks for sharing!!

[@grannakatharine]

I'd like to think that Richie was in a tantric state of love with his partner when his heart beat it's last beat or, as in his discouraged song "Nobody Left to Crown", his heart chakra just couldn't take any more . I knew him and he was blessed with GRACE. Remember friends, we are all born with just so many heartbeats, use them wisely, LOVE,Love, Love

[@eidolon1809]

Wow.

[@Wilsonspen]

I wish I had this on DVD. I have it taped on VHS when it first aired on PBS. I do have the C.D.

[@dallascowboytouchdown4319]

It is on DVD and I have it but I don’t think it’s in print again

[@frederickhill7181]

Somehow in the 55 years since this song was released I had never heard it until now. As one who has been spared the draft - I was in the UK during Vietnam - on ANZAC day I recall those who died under fire without the option of killing - the journalists, photographers, doctors, nurses, stretcher bearers, railway personnel, merchant sailors - on all sides, in all wars.

[@DaveDaShrubber]

I still haven't been able to find Richie Havens singing 'I Dig Rock and Roll Music' anywhere on KZbin.

[@themaka1977]

Woooow... goosebumps all over... it's even better than the original.... and that loooot to much! Really appreciate this cover, big thanks!

[@rockandroll4evermore]

Very nice. Excellent performance and song.

[@Scottwilkie18]

R I p Richie

[@81gsc0tt]

looks like larry david wih a tash!!! AWESOMENESS ALL ROUND!!!

[@keitharnett3232]

what a treat this is!

[@California_Dreamer]

It's been a long time since I listened to this song, but I recently found myself thinking about it in the wake of recent events in Eastern Europe. It should be dedicated to Russians who are suffering incarceration or worse because of their vocal opposition to the war in Ukraine. As a teenager I loved the Album 1700 version, but this one's better.

[@LeondraL]

"Take you place on the Great Mandela...." thank-you:) I shared this in my build for the virtual Burning Man; Burn2. The song has haunted me for decades, TY for your artistry.

[@mermaidhawk]

+Leondra Larsson .... Mandala ......I am not trying to be rude !

[@terrimartin5663]

@@mermaidhawk Mandalla

[@mermaidhawk]

@@terrimartin5663 It is Mandala.

[@Laura-ts4dh]

Stop the genocide. 🇵🇸

[@tatootim]

@LowellV100 not sure if anyone got back to you, but the album is lifelines by Peter, Paul and Mary. It was a concert they did with other great folk artists as well. Odetta, Ritchie Havens, Ronnie Gilbert. Really great stuff.

[@Scottwilkie18]

@LowellV100 i might try to watch the whole concert

[@LowellV100]

@jiver2u You can Google it under "Lifelines" which was recorded in Manhatten PBS in 1996 featuring Richie, Ronnie Gilbert, John Sebastian, Tom Paxton and Dave Van Ronk. In 2004, the same Richie Valens clip was included in "Carry It On".

[@yrret42]

Been searching my public library for all things "Richie". Great video!!! Where and when was this performance?

[@jiver2u]

This is super! Do you know when and where it was recorded? Thanks for sharing a great moment in time!

[@andrewp5642]

S. Brian Willson Gerry Condon Veterans for Peace.

[@LowellV100]

@Scottwilkie18 Wonder if you might write back if found. I haven't had much luck getting a copy.

[@Scottwilkie18]

you know Richie recorded an album not to long ago (no one left to crown)

[@wesleylemont6424]

If you know any Russians, please share this song with them, and let them decide for themselves. Before it's too late....

[@jebstuart1475]

Hope richie got over his Heroin thing. What a talent.

[@catherineparrau2985]

🤩😍

[@SteveonLI]

we are free now. we can kill now. one of the best songs i know! i just recorded a version on keybd on yt and i hope you will check it out

[@LowellV100]

Since Yarrow WROTE it, I don't think it falls under the class of "Cover".

[@johnwakefield8570]

So here's this Jewish guy .. and here's this black guy .. and .. from way in there where actual emotions seethe and bleed .. they are seething and bleeding in song .. Peter, we exchanged words at Red Rocks .. I trust you are well, buddy .. and Richie, vehement/and calm (ying yang in action) may you rest and rouse .. wherever you are .. This .. this kind of song is not pertinent: it is essential. Notice how no songs these days speak to any of the tragedies that engulf us. It's not a damn shame .. it's a sin .. to be corrected ..