Green started off as a bass player in such bands as The Muskrats. Joining The Peter B's, led by Peter Bardens, later the frontman of Camel, (including drummer Mick Fleetwood) he switched to lead guitar and made his first recordings. He took over the lead guitar spot in John Mayall and the Blues Breakers in 1966 after the departure of Eric Clapton.
After recording on one Mayall album Peter left in 1967 to form Fleetwood Mac.
Green was the guiding force of Fleetwood Mac from 1967 to 1970 when he left for musical and personal reasons. Under Green's guidance, the Mac played a very gritty and authentic version of the electric blues popularized in bars on Chicago's south side. (They even did some fine recordings there--"Blues Jam in Chicago"--which saw release only after his tenure in the band had ended). A prolific song writer also, he penned such hits as Man of the World; Oh Well; Green Manalishi; Albatross and Black Magic Woman. Albatross reached number 1 in the UK charts, Black Magic Woman was also recorded by Santana on their Abraxas album.
From 1970 to 1974, Green played some sessions, and worked with several small bands, as well as releasing two solo singles and an album of extended jams, The End of the Game for Reprise. By the end of 1974, he had withdrawn from the music scene.
By 1979 Green was recording again for PVK records as a solo artist with the debut album In the Skies; 1980 Little Dreamer; 1981 Blue Guitar; 1981 Whatcha Gonna Do; 1981 White Sky; 1984 Kolors; 1987 Katmandu; 1988 Legend; 1992 One Woman Love;
Green again left the music world in 1984, and there followed a very difficult period in his life, which came to an end in the mid 90's, and coincided with renewed interest, partly generated by a biography written by Martin Celmins, and a tribute album recorded by Gary Moore.
Green formed a new group in 1995 with Nigel Watson called the Peter Green Splinter Group. Returning to form the group produced some of Peter’s best playing since leaving Fleetwood Mac. Albums include 1997 Splinter Group; 1998 Robert Johnson Songbook; 2002 Reaching For The Cold 100.
Green left The Splinter Group in 2003. Since then, he has played sporadically, appearing at a Lord's Taverner's benefit at The Royal Albert Hall, and doing some gigs with The British Blues All-Stars.
In February 2009, Green began playing and touring again, this time as Peter Green and Friends. In May 2009 he was the subject of the BBC Four documentary "Peter Green: Man of the World", produced by Henry Hadaway. Green and the band subsequently played a tour of Ireland, Germany and England. They went on to play several dates in Australia during March 2010, including the Byron Bay Bluesfest.
Promised Land
Peter Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The sun is shining the children smiling
As they walk along the golden sand
The chosen people have climbed the steeple
On their way to the promised land
And on to freedom where there's peace of mind
Someone beside them someone to guide them
On their way to the promised land
And by the river I'll be with you all the way
Break:
And by the river I'll be with you all the way
There's milk and honey it's always sunny
The people sing with their head in hand
And soon their patience will be rewarded
And they shall walk in the promised land
And by the river I'll be with you all the way
The sun is shining the children smiling
As they walk along the golden sand
The chosen people have climbed the steeple
On their way to the promised land
And by the river I'll be with you all the way
The sun is shining the children smiling
As they walk along the golden sand
The chosen people have climbed the steeple
On their way to the promised land
And by the river I'll be with you all the way
Peter Green's song Promised Land is a hopeful and optimistic tune. The lyrics describe a group of people on their journey to a special place they believe is their destined paradise. The sunny weather and joyful children walking along the beach serve as symbols of farewell to their old, dissatisfactory lives. The stanza "Someone beside them someone to guide them, On their way to the promised land" exemplifies the group's faith in a higher power to lead them into eternal bliss.
The lyrics of the song suggest that this land of promise is characterized by milk and honey, a place where the sun always shines and people have their every whim catered to. The rise of hope for a better future serves as a source of solace for those who have struggled through the ills of this world. Despite the religious overtones, this song can be interpreted as finding meaning in life and finding inner peace, without a specific faith-based message.
In summary, Promised Land by Peter Green inspires a message of hope, depicting the journey of a group of people towards their ultimate goal; a hopeful and happier future.
Interesting facts about the song:
Line by Line Meaning
The sun is shining the children smiling
The world is full of joy and the young are pleased with the warmth of the sun upon their faces.
As they walk along the golden sand
They travel along the shore where the sand is golden reflecting the shining sun.
The chosen people have climbed the steeple
A select group of people made their way up the climbable tall tower.
On their way to the promised land
They're heading towards a place that was promised to them.
Across the river away from sorrow
They cross a river to escape from all their sadness.
And on to freedom where there's peace of mind
Once they have passed the river, they find freedom and peace of mind.
Someone beside them someone to guide them
Someone is there beside them, serving as a guide to help them through the journey.
On their way to the promised land
They continue their journey, headed towards the promised land.
And by the river I'll be with you all the way
The artist promises that they will accompany the travelers all along their journey, particularly at the river crossing.
There's milk and honey it's always sunny
The land of their destination is full of hope, abundance, and happiness.
The people sing with their head in hand
They are in awe and thankfulness to have finally reached their destination, they express joy by singing with their heads bowed.
And soon their patience will be rewarded
Their patience is about to pay off, as they are about to reach the promised land soon.
And they shall walk in the promised land
When they finally reach the promised land, they will comfortably walk around in it.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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