Buffalo Soldier
I-Threes Lyrics


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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

Dreadie, woe yoe yoe, woe woe yoe yoe
Woe yoe yoe yo, yo yo woe yo, woe yoe yoe
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
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 yoe yoe, woe woe yoe yoe
Woe yoe yoe yo, yo yo woe yo woe yo yoe

Singing, woe yoe yoe, woe woe yoe yoe
Woe yoe yoe yo, yo yo woe yo woe yo 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





Singing, woe yoe yoe, woe woe yoe yoe
Woe yoe yeo yo, yo yo woe yo woe yo yoe

Overall Meaning

The song "Buffalo Soldier" by the I-Threes has a powerful and deep message about African American history, slavery, and the impact that it had on the country. The song speaks about a Buffalo Soldier, who was a black soldier fighting for survival in America. He was taken from Africa and brought to the United States, where he had to fight for his place in society.


The lyrics of the song start with "Buffalo Soldier, Dreadlock Rasta, there was a Buffalo Soldier in the heart of America." This is a reference to the African American soldiers who fought in the American Civil War. The term Buffalo Soldier was used to refer to these black soldiers, who were given this name by Native Americans due to their curly hair, which was often compared to that of a buffalo. The song also refers to the Rastafarian movement, which is a religion that originated in Jamaica and is often associated with Bob Marley and Jamaican music.


The lyrics go on to say "Stolen from Africa, brought to America, fighting on arrival, fighting for survival." This refers to the fact that African Americans were brought to America as slaves and had to fight for their survival in a land that was foreign to them. The song also talks about how the Buffalo Soldier was "winning the war for America," which is a reference to the many battles that African American soldiers fought and won during the Civil War.


Overall, the song is a powerful message about the struggles that African Americans faced during the time of slavery and their subsequent fight for survival and equal rights in America.


Line by Line Meaning

Buffalo Soldier, Dreadlock Rasta
The singer is describing the Buffalo Soldier as someone with dreadlocks.


There was a Buffalo Soldier
The singer is acknowledging the existence of the Buffalo Soldier.


In the heart of America
The Buffalo Soldier was present in America during this time.


Stolen from Africa, brought to America
The Buffalo Soldier was brought to America against their will after being taken from their home in Africa.


Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
The Buffalo Soldier had to fight as soon as they arrived in America to survive.


I mean it, when I analyze the stench
The singer is serious when they say they can sense something wrong or unpleasant.


To me, it makes a lot of sense
What the singer is sensing aligns logically with what they know or experience.


How the Dreadlock Rasta was the Buffalo Soldier
The artist sees a connection between the Buffalo Soldier and the dreadlocked person.


And he was taken from Africa, brought to America
The Buffalo Soldier was taken from Africa against their will and brought to America.


Said he was a Buffalo Soldier, Dreadlock Rasta
The artist is repeating the description of the Buffalo Soldier as a dreadlocked person.


If you know your history
The singer believes it is important to know and remember history.


Then you would know where you coming from
Understanding history helps you understand where you come from and who you are.


Then you wouldn't have to ask me
If you knew your history, you wouldn't need to ask the singer questions.


Who the heck do I think I am
The singer is frustrated that people are questioning their identity or knowledge.


I'm just a Buffalo Soldier
The singer identifies as a Buffalo Soldier.


Win the war for America
The Buffalo Soldier fought in the war for America.


Trodding through the land
The Buffalo Soldier walked through the land.


Said he wanna ran, then you wanna hand
The singer is saying that if the Buffalo Soldier ran away, someone would try to catch them.


Driven from the mainland
The Buffalo Soldier was forced to leave the mainland.


To the heart of the caribbean
The Buffalo Soldier was brought to the Caribbean against their will.


Trodding through San Juan
The Buffalo Soldier walked through San Juan.


In the arms of America
The Buffalo Soldier was in America's embrace or care.


Trodding through Jamaica, a Buffalo Soldier
The Buffalo Soldier walked through Jamaica.


Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
The Buffalo Soldier had to fight as soon as they arrived in Jamaica to survive.


Singing, woe yoe yoe, woe woe yoe yoe
The singer is making the sound of the song they are singing.


Woe yoe yeo yo, yo yo woe yo woe yo yoe
The singer is making the sound of the song they are singing.


Buffalo Soldier, trodding through the land
The Buffalo Soldier is walking through the land.


Buffalo Soldier, in the heart of America
The Buffalo Soldier was present in America during this time.


Buffalo Soldier, Dreadlock Rasta
The artist is again describing the Buffalo Soldier as a dreadlocked person.


Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
The Buffalo Soldier had to fight as soon as they arrived in America to survive.




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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