Pride
06. U2 Lyrics

The song "Pride" by U2 is a stirring ballad that is both a tribute and a eulogy to Martin Luther King Jr. The song is a reflection on the violent struggle for civil rights in the United States and the role that King played in inspiring change. The opening lines of the song describe how "One man come in the name of love" and "One man to overthrow" – this is a reference to the fact that Martin Luther King Jr. was a figure who symbolized love, peace, and hope, and yet his life was cut tragically short by assassins who wanted to overthrow the progress he had made.

The song's chorus repeats the phrase "In the name of love / What more in the name of love?" – this is both a call to action and a question. It asks listeners to contemplate what else can be done in the name of love, to honor King's legacy and to continue the struggle for civil rights. The second verse of the song describes the brutality and violence that King and other civil rights activists faced on a daily basis, including being caught on barbed-wire fences and being betrayed with a kiss.

The final verse of the song is a direct tribute to King's assassination. The lyric "Early morning, April four / Shot rings out in the Memphis sky / Free at last, they took your life / They could not take your pride" refers to the fact that King was shot and killed on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. The line "They could not take your pride" is a reference to King's famous line "We shall overcome" – it is a call to continue the struggle for justice and to keep King's legacy alive.