Hi!
New member here with a question:

I LOVE the song "My Peace" but am puzzled by the line "I give my peace to green and black and red and white and blue." I am not sure what to make of the green and black . . .

Any thought or comments would really be appreciated,

Peace,
San

Maybe the folkslinger will check in, but to me it simply means universal peace, i.e., not any one flag or country, but all. He could have used any two colors there; con't look for a country with a green/black flag.

I was wondering if maybe it was referring to giving peace to all countries or races on earth.

Indeed a lovely song and I wouldn't try to guess whatever the meaning or reason behind the choice of colours but giving out a little "Peace" seems the best kind of flag no matter the colour. We in Ireland got green and orange and red and white and blue and even with all those beautiful colours some here still find giving peace a chance a real pain, if not a kicking at the goads. Perhaps, we are all tribal in our own 'Garden' and that makes us feel a wee bit safer and a feeling of belonging but we are all just passing through and no matter my particular colour choice I believe it would be a better world without you know what, you know where and you know when. I'd rather have Arlo's 'Peace' in the world than all the rantings of cockerel politicians and religious fanatics who promote you know what, you know where and we all around this world know the result. Peace and love to all.

Of course no one will ever actually "know" what he was thinking when he wrote the words. My guess is, that whatever you put in there will work. But, just because I'm thinking about this, my guess would be he was thinking about the green of plants and the black dirt or earth. That's just my take... adg

Works for me!

for me too!

i happened to come across this (below) today in the Book of John. Can't imagine the similarities are a coincidence.

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Woody’s Song

My peace my peace is all I’ve got that I can give to you
My peace is all I ever had that’s all I ever knew
I give my peace to green and black and red and white and blue
My peace my peace is all I’ve got that I can give to you

My peace, my peace is all I’ve got and all I've ever known
My peace is worth a thousand times more than anything I own
I pass my peace around and about ‘cross hands of every hue;
I guess my peace is justa ‘bout all I’ve got to give to you

Sounds a bit woody all right but I prefer the real thing. Woody's words offers the listener (and reader) a personal challenge of not just seeking peace but pursuing peace, in words that promotes a better way, a better truth and a better life. That "Book of John" may have stirred up the bones of 'peace' but Woody's interpretation of that word 'peace' puts a wee bit of flesh on bones that have ears to hear.
And then Arlo painted his own musical colour onto Woody's words and "My Peace" was born anew.

Ps. They didn't like free loving peaceable hippies in those days either and that's the gospel truth.

Enjoy Peace

Every time I see that in the Bible these days, I think of the song My Peace. I bet that part of the Bible inspired Woodys song. Like they said. Too much of a coincidence.

It just hit me. Woody was giving that peace in the Bible to everyone in the world.

Right on Cheryl. We all got the power to curse or bless with the same tongue. Woody took those ('Biblical') words and turned them into a beautiful universal blessing that Arlo has enabled us all to sing to all including our 'enemies'.

Love and peace Cheryl

Peace and love to you and everyone else on here, and Arlo and family.

Peace and love to you too Cheryl. It's a pleasure to know you through arlo.net.

It's nice knowing you and the others here thru the site.

Yes it is, Peace and Love to all.