Buffalo Soldier
Peter Tosh / Wailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
The lyrics of "Buffalo Soldier" by Peter Tosh / Wailers speaks about the story of African slaves who were taken away from their homeland to America and made to fight for the American military. The lyrics describe these African slaves as Buffalo Soldiers, who were fighting on arrival and fighting for survival in the heart of America. The term Buffalo Soldier was a name given to African American soldiers by Native Americans due to their curly hair which resembled the hair of buffalos. The song is also seen as a tribute to the black soldiers who fought in the US army during the civil war.
Peter Tosh vividly paints an image of the suffering and challenges faced by the Buffalo soldiers when he sings, "Stolen from Africa, brought to America, fighting on arrival, fighting for survival." The Buffalo Soldiers had to fight against the Native Americans for territory and resources, but also had to fight against a society that was systematically oppressing them.
The final verse speaks of these soldiers being driven from the mainland to the heart of the Caribbean, trodding through San Juan in the arms of America, and fighting on arrival, fighting for survival. This highlights the continued struggle for equality that these soldiers faced even after the civil war.
Overall, "Buffalo Soldier" is a powerful and poignant song that highlights the bravery and sacrifice of a group of soldiers who were fighting for a country that did not always recognize their worth or appreciate their contribution.
Line by Line Meaning
Buffalo Soldier, dreadlock Rasta
The subject of the song is a Buffalo Soldier, who is also a Rastafarian with dreadlocks.
There was a Buffalo Soldier
The song is about a specific Buffalo Soldier who fought in America.
In the heart of America
The Buffalo Soldier was fighting in the center of America.
Stolen from Africa, brought to America
The Buffalo Soldier was taken from Africa and enslaved in America.
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
The Buffalo Soldier was forced to fight for survival upon arrival in America.
I mean it, when I analyze the stench
To me, it makes a lot of sense
The singer thinks the situation of taking African people as slaves and bringing them to America is foul, and that it's logical that the Buffalo Soldier was a Rastafarian with dreadlocks.
Said he was a Buffalo Soldier, dreadlock Rasta
The song repeats that the Buffalo Soldier was a Rastafarian with dreadlocks.
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 believes that knowing one's own history is essential, and that it prevents others from questioning one's identity and heritage.
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
The singer identifies with the Buffalo Soldier's experience, as he believes that he was stolen from Africa and brought to America to fight for survival. He was a Buffalo Soldier who fought in the war and helped America win.
Woe yoy yoy, woe yoy yoy yoy
Woe yoy yoy yo, yoy yoy yoy yo
These are repeated lyrics in the song that serve as a chorus with no specific meaning.
Buffalo Soldier, troddin' through the land woah
Said he wanna ran, then you wanna hand
Troddin' through the land, yeah, yeah
The Buffalo Soldier was moving through the land, and sometimes he wanted to run, but needed a helping hand to keep going.
Driven from the mainland
To the heart of the Caribbean
The Buffalo Soldier was removed from the mainland and taken to the Caribbean.
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
The Buffalo Soldier journeyed to San Juan (in Puerto Rico) and Jamaica, and he fought hard for his survival. He remained a Rastafarian with dreadlocks throughout his journey.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Marley, Noel Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thezeronelite
Who's listening in 2024?
@user-uf8eb1dm3r
heloooo
@jordankennedy1494
Same people who always have. And hopefully a few more happy people. 😊
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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 ❤