Bob Marley and the Wailers (previously known as The Wailers, and prior to t… Read Full Bio ↴Bob Marley and the Wailers (previously known as The Wailers, and prior to that The Wailing Rudeboys, The Wailing Wailers and The Teenagers) were a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae band. The founding members, in 1963, were Bob Marley (Robert Nesta Marley), Peter Tosh (Hubert Winston McIntosh), and Bunny Wailer (Neville Livingston).

During 1970 and 1971, Wailer, Marley and Tosh worked with renowned reggae producers Leslie Kong and Lee "Scratch" Perry.

They released four albums before signing to Island Records in 1972. Two more albums were created before Tosh and Wailer left the band in 1974, citing grievances over label treatment and ideological differences. Marley carried on with a new line-up, including the I-Threes that put out seven more more albums. Marley died in 1981.

The Wailers were a groundbreaking ska and reggae group, noted for songs such as "Simmer Down", "Trenchtown Rock", "Nice Time", "War", "Stir It Up" and "Get Up, Stand Up".

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Marley_and_the_Wailers

Studio albums
The Wailing Wailers (1965)
The Best of the Wailers (1970; released 1971)
Soul Rebels (1970)
Soul Revolution Part II (1971)
Catch a Fire (1973)
Burnin' (1973)
Natty Dread (1974)
Rastaman Vibration (1976)
Exodus (1977)
Kaya (1978)
Survival (1979)
Uprising (1980)
Confrontation (1983)

Buffalo Soldier (12
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Buffalo Soldier, dreadlock Rasta
There 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
Win the war for America

Said he, woe yoy yoy, woe yoy yoy yoy
Woe yoy yoy yo, yoy yoy yoy yo

Woe yoy yoy, woe yoy yoy yoy
Woe yoy yoy yo, yoy yoy yoy yo

Buffalo Soldier, troddin' through the land woah
Said he wanna ran, then you wanna hand
Troddin' through the land, yeah, yeah

Said he was a Buffalo Soldier
Win 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 yoy yoy, woe yoy yoy yoy
Woe yoy yoy yo, yoy yoy yoy yo

Woe yoy yoy, woe yoy yoy yoy
Woe yoy yoy yo, yoy yoy yoy yo

Troddin' through San Juan
In the arms of America
Troddin' through Jamaica, a Buffalo Soldier
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
Buffalo Soldier, dreadlock Rasta

Woe yoy yoy, woe yoy yoy yoy
Woe yoy yoy yo, yoy yoy yoy yo

Woe yoy yoy, woe yoy yoy yoy
Woe yoy yoy yo, yoy yoy yoy yo

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bob Marley & The Wailers' song "Buffalo Soldier" speak to the history of the Buffalo Soldiers, a group of African American soldiers who fought in various wars and conflicts throughout the history of the United States. The lyrics suggest that the Buffalo Soldiers were similar to the Rastafarian Dreadlocks, in that both groups were marginalized and oppressed. The song speaks about how the Buffalo Soldiers were taken from Africa and brought to America, where they were forced into fighting for their survival. The lyrics suggest that the Buffalo Soldiers were fighting for their own freedom, as well as for the freedom of others, and that they played an important role in the history of America.

The lyrics also suggest that knowing one's own history is important, as it helps people to understand where they come from and to have a sense of identity. The Buffalo Soldiers, like the Rastafarians, represent a group of people who have been marginalized and oppressed by society, but who have also proven to be resilient and strong in the face of adversity. The song is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit, and a call to remember the sacrifices made by those who have fought for freedom and equality.

Overall, "Buffalo Soldier" is a powerful and poignant song that speaks to the history of the Buffalo Soldiers and their struggle for freedom and equality. It is a song that continues to be relevant today, as it reminds us of the importance of knowing our history and of fighting for our own freedom and the freedom of others.

Line by Line Meaning

Buffalo Soldier, Dreadlock Rasta
This song is about the story of a Buffalo Soldier who is also a Dreadlock Rasta.

There was a Buffalo Soldier
The story of the Buffalo Soldier begins here.

In the heart of America
The Buffalo Soldier was in America.

Stolen from Africa, brought to America
The Buffalo Soldier was taken from Africa and brought to America as a slave.

Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
The Buffalo Soldier fought for survival as soon as he arrived in America.

I mean it, when I analyze the stench
The Buffalo Soldier's story is full of unpleasant smells, metaphorically speaking.

To me, it makes a lot of sense
The Buffalo Soldier's story is a logical and understandable one.

How the Dreadlock Rasta was the Buffalo Soldier
The Buffalo Soldier in question was also a Dreadlock Rasta.

And he was taken from Africa, brought to America
Like many slaves, the Buffalo Soldier was taken from Africa and brought to America.

Said he was fighting on arrival
The Buffalo Soldier fought for survival as soon as he arrived in America.

Fighting for survival
The Buffalo Soldier struggled to survive in America.

Said he was a Buffalo Soldier
The Buffalo Soldier identified himself as a part of the Buffalo Soldiers.

Win the war for America
The Buffalo Soldiers fought to help America win the war.

If you know your history
To understand the Buffalo Soldier's story, you need to know the history of slavery and African-Americans in America.

Then you would know where you coming from
If you know the history of African-Americans, you will understand their roots and where they come from.

Then you wouldn't have to ask me
If you understand the history, you wouldn't have to ask for an explanation.

Who the heck do I think I am
The artist is being questioned about their knowledge of history.

I'm just a Buffalo Soldier
The singer is a part of the Buffalo Soldiers.

Trodding through the land
The Buffalo Soldier traveled and marched through the land.

Said he wanna ran, then you wanna hand
The lyrics convey the idea that sometimes the Buffalo Soldiers wanted to run away from their struggles and seek help.

Driven from the mainland
The Buffalo Soldiers were forced to leave the mainland, likely as a result of war.

To the heart of the caribbean
The Buffalo Soldiers were driven towards the Caribbean.

Trodding through San Juan
The Buffalo Soldiers traveled through San Juan.

In the arms of America
The Buffalo Soldiers were still under the control of America.

Trodding through Jamaica, a Buffalo Soldier
The Buffalo Soldiers traveled through Jamaica as part of the war.

Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
The Buffalo Soldiers continued their struggle to survive and fought in battles as forced soldiers.

Singing, woe yoe yoe, woe woe yoe yoe
The Buffalo Soldiers would sing as they marched and fought.

Woe yoe yeo yo, yo yo woe yo woe yo yoe
The lyrics are repetitions of the previous line.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Marley, Noel Williams

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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