He began his career as a bossa nova musician, but soon began writing songs that reflected a new focus on political awareness and social activism, along with fellow singer Caetano Veloso. In the 1970s, Gil added new elements of African and North American music to his already broad palette, and continued to release a steady stream of albums, including Realce and Refazenda. João Gilberto recorded Gil's "Eu Vim da Bahia" ("I Came from Bahia") on his classic João Gilberto LP.
In 1969, Gil and Veloso, whose status in Brazil was, and is, equivalent to that of John Lennon and Paul McCartney in the English-speaking world, were arrested by the military government of Brazil for anti-government activities. Upon their release, the pair both moved to London. Gil began playing with groups like Yes, Pink Floyd and The Incredible String Band, while continuing his solo career. In the 1970s, he toured the US and recorded an English-language album. He worked with Jimmy Cliff and released in 1980 a cover of "No Woman, No Cry" (Bob Marley & the Wailers) that was a massive hit and introduced reggae to Brazil.
Gil continued recording, performing and involving himself in various social causes, and was eventually elected a city councillor in his home town Salvador in 1989. His 1993 album with Caetano Veloso, Tropicália 2, featured a cover of a Jimi Hendrix song, "Wait Until Tomorrow", and is regarded as one of his finest efforts since the late 1960s.
When President Lula da Silva took office in January 2003, he chose Gil to serve as Brazil's new Minister of Culture, a post he held until 2008. While minister, Gil released his songs "Refazenda", "Rebento" and "Refavela" under the Creative Commons Sampling License.
In May 2005 Gil was awarded the Polar Music Prize in Stockholm, Sweden. He was the first Latin American recipient of the annual award, which was given to him by the King of Sweden. Gil also performed four songs in an outdoors concert the day before the award show and again at the show with only two songs, accompanied by Jimmy Cliff.
In September 2005 he was awarded the Légion d'honneur from the French Government. This coincided with the Année du Brésil en France (Brazil's Year in France).
His daughter Preta Gil is also a musician.
Buffalo Soldier
Gilberto Gil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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, fighting for survival
Said he was a Buffalo soldier
Win the war for America
Yoe yoe yoe, yoe yoe yoe yoe
Yoe yoe yoe, yoe yoe yoe yoe yoe
Yoe yoe yoe, yoe yoe yoe yoe
Yoe yoe yoe, yoe yoe yoe yoe yoe
Buffalo soldier
Trodding through the land
Said he wanna ran, then you wanna hand
Trodding through the land, yea, yea
Buffalo soldier
Win the war for America
Buffalo soldier
Dread dread dreadlock Rasta
Fighting on arrival
Fighting for survival
Driven from the mainland
To the heart of the Caribbean
Yoe yoe yoe, yoe yoe yoe yoe
Yoe yoe yoe, yoe yoe yoe yoe yoe
Yoe yoe yoe, yoe yoe yoe yoe
Yoe yoe yoe, yoe yoe yoe yoe yoe
Trodding through San Juan
In the arms of America
Trodding through Jamaica
A Buffalo soldier
Fighting, fighting on arrival
Fighting, fighting for survival
Buffalo soldier
Dreadlock Rasta
Yoe yoe yoe, yoe yoe yoe yoe
Yoe yoe yoe, yoe yoe yoe yoe yoe
Yoe yoe yoe, yoe yoe yoe yoe
Yoe yoe yoe, yoe yoe yoe yoe yoe
Yoe yoe yoe, yoe yoe yoe yoe
Yoe yoe yoe, yoe yoe yoe yoe yoe
Yoe yoe yoe, yoe yoe yoe yoe
Yoe yoe yoe, yoe yoe yoe yoe yoe
(Aê ah o-a-o, aê ah o)
The lyrics of Gilberto Gil's song "Buffalo Soldier" pay tribute to the black soldiers who fought in the American wars. The song uses the image of the "Buffalo Soldier," a term used to describe the black soldiers who protected the American West after the Civil War. The song suggests that the Buffalo Soldier's African roots are still evident in their appearance and culture as Dreadlock Rasta. The personification of the Buffalo Soldier as a black man with dreadlocks reflects an intersection of African and American symbols. The song highlights the strength and resilience of the Buffalo Soldier, who was stolen from Africa and forced to fight in wars in America. The lyrics allude to the survival mechanisms of African slaves and their descendants, whose ancestry enables them to endure hardship and fight for their rights to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
Buffalo soldier
Referring to African slaves who came to America against their will
Dreadlock Rasta
Describing the hairstyle and religion of some of the slaves who arrived in America
There was a Buffalo soldier
Acknowledging the existence of these African slaves in America
In the heart of America
Referring to where African slaves were brought to in America
Stolen from Africa
Acknowledging the inhumane and degrading way African slaves were taken away from their homeland
Brought to America
Describing the location where African slaves were forced to work for their slave owners
Fighting on arrival
Despite being taken away from their home, African slaves had to fight to survive in America.
Fighting for survival
African slaves had to fight to stay alive in a harsh environment and under brutal treatment
Said he was a Buffalo soldier
Reaffirming that African slaves were indeed the Buffalo soldiers
If you know your history
Encouraging people to learn history so they can better understand their roots
Then you would know where you coming from
Understanding history helps people know where they come from
Then you wouldn't have to ask me
If you knew history, you wouldn't have to ask me who I am
Who the heck do I think I am
Questioning why people doubt or question African slaves' existence in America
I'm just a Buffalo soldier
Acknowledging oneself as an African slave in America
Win the war for America
Despite being slaves, African slaves also fought in wars in America
Trodding through the land
Walking and trekking through the harsh environment that African slaves were forced to endure
Said he wanna ran, then you wanna hand
African slaves had to fight to stay and endure their hardships rather than run away, and if they did, they risked receiving harsh punishment
Driven from the mainland
Describing how African slaves were taken away from their homeland in Africa
To the heart of the Caribbean
Referring to locations where African slaves were taken and forced to work in the Caribbean
Trodding through San Juan
Walking through San Juan in the Caribbean, where African slaves were taken and were forced to work
In the arms of America
Despite being forced to work and treated poorly, African slaves were still in America
Fighting, fighting on arrival
African slaves had to fight to stay alive and endure the harsh treatment imposed on them from the moment they arrived
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Marley, Noel Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind