PRIDE
U2 Lyrics


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One man come in the name of love
One man come and go
One man come he to justify
One man to overthrow

In the name of love
What more in the name of love?
In the name of love
What more in the name of love?

One man caught on a barbed wire fence
One man he resist
One man washed up on an empty beach
One man betrayed with a kiss

In the name of love
What more in the name of love?
In the name of love
What more in the name of love?

Early morning, April four
Shot rings out in the Memphis sky
Free at last, they took your life
They could not take your pride

In the name of love
What more in the name of love?
In the name of love
What more in the name of love?

In the name of love
What more in the name of love?




In the name of love
What more in the name of love?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to U2's song Pride explore themes of sacrifice and resistance in the name of love. The song speaks of one man who comes to justify and overthrow, and another man who resists and is betrayed with a kiss. The chorus repeats the question, "What more in the name of love?" as if to ask how much more can be given or taken in the name of love. The final verse references the assassination of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968. The song acknowledges the tragic loss of life, but also celebrates the fact that King's pride could not be taken away.


The first verse suggests that one person can make a difference with their actions, but that they may come and go without being fully recognized for their contributions. The second verse explores the idea of sacrifice and resistance, with one man caught on a barbed wire fence and another washed up on an empty beach. The third verse then brings the song into a specific historical context with the reference to Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. The lyrics may suggest that despite the tragedy of King's death, his message and commitment to civil rights lives on.


Line by Line Meaning

One man come in the name of love
A man of love visits


One man come and go
He appeared just to disappear


One man come he to justify
He came to prove his worthiness


One man to overthrow
A man to knock down the evils


In the name of love
For the sake of adoration


What more in the name of love?
What more can be done solely for love?


One man caught on a barbed wire fence
A person gets caught in a deadly trap


One man he resist
Refusing to give up


One man washed up on an empty beach
An individual stranded on a deserted shore


One man betrayed with a kiss
Backstabbed through a gesture of love


Early morning, April four
The fourth of April, at dawn


Shot rings out in the Memphis sky
A gunshot echoes through Memphis


Free at last, they took your life
Finally liberated, but having sacrificed life


They could not take your pride
May have taken life, but not dignity




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Adam Clayton, Dave Evans, Larry Mullen, Paul David Hewson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@adamtmactiu7001

"Pride (In The Name Of Love)"

One man come in the name of love
One man come and go
One man come, he to justify
One man to overthrow

In the name of love
What more in the name of love
In the name of love
What more in the name of love

One man caught on a barbed wire fence
One man he resist
One man washed on an empty beach.
One man betrayed with a kiss

In the name of love
What more in the name of love
In the name of love
What more in the name of love

(nobody like you...)

Early morning, April 4
Shot rings out in the Memphis sky
Free at last, they took your life
They could not take your pride

In the name of love
What more in the name of love
In the name of love
What more in the name of love
In the name of love
What more in the name of love...



@1505harbor

King and U2

On May 26, 2017, David Evan’s guitar pick made contact with the thin metal string on his black Stratocaster guitar, reverberating through a packed house at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. That one note was the opening to U2′s “Pride (In the name of Love).” A deafening roar of approval followed.

“Pride” was released by U2 in 1984 as a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., a man who lived in a time when it was very dangerous for a Black man to show pride.

On April 4, 1968, an assassin with what I am sure was a hate for that very pride would end King’s life.

As I stood with my brother and friend, moved beyond words, U2′s singer Paul Hewson (Bono) drove home the band’s message nearing the end with the lyrics, “Early morning, April four, Shot rings out in the Memphis sky, Free at last, they took your life, They could not take your pride.”

Once again a deafening roar arose from U2′s fans in the stadium. A roar I would like to think was one of respect for a great man and one of hope for the great dream that King envisioned.

King spoke of a day when Black men and women could be “free” of fear of losing their life due to simply being Black. There is still much work to be done, and I am certain he would want us to work diligently toward a goal of truly being the land of the free for all Americans. No exceptions.

Sadly, King never experienced true freedom. It was only after his last breath would he be “Free at last.”

Glen Blankenship, Ingleside



All comments from YouTube:

@glace5620

This is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard in my life.

@user-dr1fc8dv5w

Классная песня

@rafaelcamino446

A mí me produce una tristeza y melancolía q cási puedo soportar !!!
Llora el alma desgarradora...😢😢😢

@tarstarkusz

It's propaganda.

@user-ce7dh9rz9m

"Free at last...
They took your life they
could not take your pride"
Gets me everytime

@jfournerat1274

What makes it interesting is that the line was referencing Martin Luther King Jr.

@Iris-gy2mi

Yes! “Early morning, April 4, shots rang out in the Memphis sky.”

@PhattyMcBoomBoom

"Early morning, April four,
A shot rings out in the Memphis sky,
Free at last. They took your life,
They could not take your pride."

This song's almost 40 years old and I hear it random times throughout each one mostly on the radio but those lyrics still get me every single time.
And likely always will.

@jfournerat1274

Is it because it reminds you of Martin Luther King Jr.

@marswmnwhoever2188

My child was born on that day and I can only hope that he will embody everything that Martin Luther King Jr and those that advocated for a world based on equality did. ❤

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