Since they were renowned for courage and discipline—and, contrary to many other regiments, suffered relatively little drunkenness or desertion—Marley uses the buffalo soldiers' fight for survival during the Indian Wars as a symbol of black resistance and identity. At the same time, he touches upon the cruel irony of deploying one subjected people to remove another.
Written by Bob Marley and Noel G. “King Sporty” William in 1980, “Buffalo Soldier” released posthumously as a single from "Confrontation", the first album released after Marley’s untimely death in 1981.
Marley uses the African American English (AAE), letting the reader know that his is a voice of experience. Being a Rastafarian himself, he can easily fit into the shoes of these Buffalo Soldiers.
Although not the first ever ‘Reggae’ song, “Buffalo Soldier” contributed a lot in bringing Reggae into international notice. The first ever popular Reggae song was actually “Do The Reggay,” a 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals.
Although the song brings to light the sufferings of the Buffalo Soldiers, it also comments on the happy-go-lucky nature of the soldiers. The upbeat nature of Reggae, combined with singing ‘woy yoy yoy’ concretes an almost sarcastic tone, full of euphemism. It’s almost like the Buffalo Soldier is staring the white men right in the eye and smiling.
Buffalo Soldier
Bob Marley %26 The Wailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was a Buffalo Soldier
In the heart of America
Stolen from Africa, brought to America
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
I mean it, when I analyze the stench
To me, it makes a lot of sense
How the dreadlock rasta was the Buffalo Soldier
And he was taken from Africa, brought to America
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
Said he was a buffalo soldier, dreadlock rasta
Buffalo Soldier, in the heart of America
If you know your history
Then you would know where you coming from
Then you wouldn't have to ask me
"Who the heck do I think I am?"
I'm just a buffalo soldier
In the heart of America
Stolen from Africa, brought to America
Said he was fighting on arrival
Fighting for survival
Said he was a buffalo soldier
In the war for America
Dreadie, woe yoe yoe, woe yoe yoe yoe
Woe yoe yoe yo, yo yo yoe yo
Woe yoe yoe, woe yoe yoe yoe
Woe yoe yoe yo, yo yo yoe yo
Buffalo Soldier, trodding through the land
Said he wanna ran, then you wanna hand
Trodding through the land, yea, yea
Said he was a buffalo soldier
In the war for America
Buffalo soldier, dreadlock rasta
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
Driven from the mainland
To the heart of the Caribbean
Singing, woe yoe yoe, woe yoe yoe yoe
Woe yoe yoe yo, yo yo yoe yo
Woe yoe yoe yo, yo yo yoe yo
Woe yoe yoe, woe yoe yoe yoe
Trodding through San Juan
In the arms of America
Trodding through Jamaica, a buffalo soldier
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
Buffalo soldier, dreadlock rasta
Woe yoe yoe, woe yoe yoe yoe
Woe yoe yoe yo, yo yo yo yo yoe
Woe yoe yoe, woe yoe yoe yoe
Woe yoe yoe yo, yo yo yo yo yoe
The opening lyrics of "Buffalo Soldier" speak to a historical reality - the forced enslavement of Africans who were then transported to America. "Stolen from Africa, brought to America" refers to the transatlantic slave trade, during which millions of Africans were forcibly taken from their homes and brought to the Americas to work as slaves. The song's titular "Buffalo Soldier" was a term used to describe African American soldiers who served in the United States Army during the late 1800s. These soldiers were mostly members of the 10th Cavalry Regiment, which was made up of African American men who were dedicated to serving their country despite extreme racial discrimination.
The song uses the image of the Buffalo Soldier as a symbol of resilience and determination - despite being taken from their homeland and forced to fight for a country that treated them unjustly, these soldiers persevered. The chorus repeats the line "Said he was a buffalo soldier, in the heart of America," highlighting the pride and bravery that these men exhibited. The song also contains a message of the importance of knowing one's history, as Bob Marley sings "If you know your history, then you would know where you're coming from."
Line by Line Meaning
Buffalo Soldier, dreadlock rasta
The soldier is referred to as a buffalo soldier and a dreadlock rasta.
It was a Buffalo Soldier
The song focuses on the story of a specific soldier.
In the heart of America
The soldier is stationed in America.
Stolen from Africa, brought to America
The soldier was taken by force from Africa and brought to America.
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
The soldier had to fight as soon as he arrived and is still fighting for his survival.
I mean it, when I analyze the stench
To me, it makes a lot of sense
How the dreadlock rasta was the Buffalo Soldier
The singer believes that the soldier's identity as a dreadlock rasta is integral to his identity as a buffalo soldier.
If you know your history
Then you would know where you coming from
Then you wouldn't have to ask me
"Who the heck do I think I am?"
The singer suggests that knowing one's history is important for understanding one's identity.
I'm just a buffalo soldier
In the heart of America
Stolen from Africa, brought to America
Said he was fighting on arrival
Fighting for survival
Said he was a buffalo soldier
In the war for America
The soldier identifies as a buffalo soldier fighting for America despite being stolen from Africa and fighting for his survival.
Dreadie, woe yoe yoe, woe yoe yoe yoe
Woe yoe yoe yo, yo yo yoe yo
Woe yoe yoe, woe yoe yoe yoe
Woe yoe yoe yo, yo yo yoe yo
These lyrics serve as a refrain that is repeated throughout the song.
Buffalo Soldier, trodding through the land
Said he wanna ran, then you wanna hand
Trodding through the land, yea, yea
The soldier is walking through the land and needs help, but is met with resistance.
Driven from the mainland
To the heart of the Caribbean
The soldier was driven from the mainland of America and taken to the Caribbean.
Singing, woe yoe yoe, woe yoe yoe yoe
Woe yoe yoe yo, yo yo yoe yo
Woe yoe yoe yo, yo yo yoe yo
Woe yoe yoe, woe yoe yoe yoe
The refrain is repeated again.
Trodding through San Juan
In the arms of America
Trodding through Jamaica, a buffalo soldier
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
Buffalo soldier, dreadlock rasta
The soldier is walking through San Juan and Jamaica as a buffalo soldier fighting to survive and maintain his identity as a dreadlock rasta.
Woe yoe yoe, woe yoe yoe yoe
Woe yoe yoe yo, yo yo yo yo yoe
Woe yoe yoe, woe yoe yoe yoe
Woe yoe yoe yo, yo yo yo yo yoe
The refrain is repeated a final time.
Contributed by Elijah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@thezeronelite
Who's listening in 2024?
@user-uf8eb1dm3r
heloooo
@jordankennedy1494
Same people who always have. And hopefully a few more happy people. 😊
@hrcmeister9
Who's not? 😁
@Al_AmeenMD
March 2024
@rochieldee3658
❤❤
@al-nur999
A message to future generations, don't let this song die, don't let Bob Marley's legacy be forgotten. Jahlove.
@Fizzyapplewater
We already ignore the dark side of his legacy
@allensmithee632
Never gone as long as we keep the love in our hearts.
@neilgreen3008
His music is immortal ❤