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Universal Soldier
Buffy Sainte-Marie Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning

He's five-foot-two and he's six-feet-four
He fights with missiles and with spears
He's all of thirty-one and he's only seventeen
He's been a soldier for a thousand years

He's a Catholic, a Hindu, an Atheist, a Jain
A Buddhist, and a Baptist and a Jew
And he knows he shouldn't kill
And he knows he always will kill
You for me my friend and me for you

And he's fighting for Canada
He's fighting for France
He's fighting for the USA
And he's fighting for the Russians
And he's fighting for Japan
And he thinks we'll put an end to war this way

And he's fighting for democracy
He's fighting for the Reds
He says it's for the peace of all
He's the one who must decide
Who's to live and who's to die
And he never sees the writing on the wall

But without him how would Hitler have condemned him at Dachau
Without him Caesar would've stood alone
He's the one who gives his body as the weapon of the war
And without him, all this killing can't go on

He's the universal soldier and he really is to blame
His orders come from far away no more
They come from him and you and me
And brothers, can't you see
This is not the way we put an end to war?

Overall Meaning

Buffy Sainte-Marie's song "Universal Soldier" speaks to the universal experience of warfare and the futility of war in general. The song is powerful because it highlights the fact that soldiers can come from all walks of life and are not always overtly heroic figures. The first few lyrics provide a striking juxtaposition of the image of a five-foot-two soldier with one that fights with missiles and spears. This contrast highlights the idea that soldiers can come in all shapes and sizes - they are not always what we expect.


The following lines of the song provide a list of different religions that this "universal soldier" identifies with. This is significant because it illustrates that war and violence have no boundaries when it comes to religion, which creates a powerful statement about the notion of war being justifiable in the name of religion. The refrain "and he knows he shouldn't kill, and he knows he always will kill" further emphasizes the idea that soldiers are forced to do things that they know are not morally right, which is a recurring theme throughout the song.


The final verse of the song completely changes the tone by suggesting that we, as a society, are responsible for creating the circumstances that lead to war. It shows that every individual has the power to stop war by refusing to participate in it or by refusing to support those who do. The song's overall message is that war is futile and ultimately only leads to suffering and pain. The universal soldier metaphor emphasizes the idea that we are all responsible for trying to create a more peaceful world.


Line by Line Meaning

He's five-foot-two and he's six-feet-four
The physical traits of a soldier should not define their ability to fight


He fights with missiles and with spears
Soldiers' weapons have evolved over time, but the act of war remains the same


He's all of thirty-one and he's only seventeen
War can make soldiers grow up too fast and take a toll on younger generations


He's been a soldier for a thousand years
The concept of war has been around for ages and soldiers have fought for centuries


He's a Catholic, a Hindu, an Atheist, a Jain
Regardless of religion, a soldier's duty is to fight for their country


A Buddhist, and a Baptist and a Jew
Different religions do not change the fact that soldiers are trained to kill


And he knows he shouldn't kill
Soldiers are aware that taking someone else's life is wrong


And he knows he always will kill
Regardless, soldiers must follow orders to kill in order to serve their country


You for me my friend and me for you
Soldiers fight for their comrades just as much as they fight for their country


And he's fighting for Canada
Soldiers fight for their country, regardless of which country it is


He's fighting for France
Nationalistic sentiments drive soldiers to fight for their country


He's fighting for the USA
Patriotic feelings often motivate soldiers to fight for their country


And he's fighting for the Russians
Soldiers can be on opposite sides of a war, but they are all following orders to fight


And he's fighting for Japan
Soldiers from different countries and cultures can be pitted against each other in war


And he thinks we'll put an end to war this way
Despite war being a constant, soldiers hope to bring about world peace through fighting


And he's fighting for democracy
Political ideologies can motivate soldiers to fight


He's fighting for the Reds
Communism was a driving force in some wars, motivating soldiers to fight for their beliefs


He says it's for the peace of all
Despite the violence of war, soldiers often believe they are fighting to bring peace


He's the one who must decide
Soldiers often have to make tough decisions, including deciding who lives and who dies


Who's to live and who's to die
Soldiers' actions dictate life and death, which can take a toll on them mentally


And he never sees the writing on the wall
Soldiers may not realize the effects war can have, both short-term and long-term


But without him how would Hitler have condemned him at Dachau
Did Hitler rely on soldiers to carry out atrocities such as those in Dachau?


Without him Caesar would've stood alone
Soldiers can help shape history and outcomes of wars


He's the one who gives his body as the weapon of the war
A soldier's body is the most valuable weapon they have to fight and protect


And without him, all this killing can't go on
Soldiers are the driving force behind wars, without them war cannot continue


He's the universal soldier and he really is to blame
All soldiers share the blame for contributing to war and violence


His orders come from far away no more
Soldiers today can't blame faraway leaders for their orders, as orders come from all levels of the chain of command


They come from him and you and me
We all indirectly contribute to wars, through voting, advocating, and funding militarism


And brothers, can't you see
The lyrics are directed towards men to question their role in war


This is not the way we put an end to war?
War is not the answer to peace, so we must find alternate solutions




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Buffy Sainte-Marie

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

KIMBERLEY KOCHEL

I am a big huge fan of Buffy Sainte-Marie. I read her biography with the intro with the one and only,Joni Mitchell. My Auntie saw Buffy last November 2021. She said Buffy never sounded better. Love from a fellow Ontario Canadian. 🇨🇦❤🙏🕊

John Totten

Thank you Buffy. I served on the front lines in Vietnam and I wish someone would revive this song today.

robert Lytle

I too am a Vietnam veteran. I served in the Marines. In 1968 I was in college and a war protestor. I was in Chicago at Grant Park during the Democratic convention. Still when they called my number in 1969 I answered the call. I came from a small rural area and couldn't bring shame to my family for refusing the draft. I was drafted into the Marines.
USMC 1969-1971

robert Lytle

I served in the Marines during Vietnam. Unfortunately when I got out in Sept 1971, people knew who to blame. It was us and the politicians were happy to let us servicemen and women to take the blame. After all they weren't the ones who carried the gun. We were.

tina sadler

Thank you for your service in a time where those who served were mocked and shamed....

M EB

I'm trying

tuforu4

@Ms. Ntropy i seen young AMERICANS OVERSEAS they are far to young to be OVERSEAS..
I use work in iraq .

25 More Replies...

Tom Dee

This song never gets old a true classic.

Roger Lewis

Brilliant song.  As relevant today as it was in the 1960s when it was written.  We need more of these.

Kim Kochel

Buffy is an awesome woman. She speaks for her people and other things(protests etc). I love her singing and what she stands for. She reminds me of another favorite of mine Joan Baez. Read both of their biographies both excellent reads. Love and Prayers from Ontario Canada 🇨🇦🙏🕊

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