PRIDE
U2氈勦 Lyrics
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One man come and go
One man come he to justify
One man to overthrow
In the name of love
What more in the name of love?
In the name of love
One man caught on a barbed wire fence
One man he resist
One man washed up on an empty beach
One man betrayed with a kiss
In the name of love
What more in the name of love?
In the name of love
What more in the name of love?
Early morning, April four
Shot rings out in the Memphis sky
Free at last, they took your life
They could not take your pride
In the name of love
What more in the name of love?
In the name of love
What more in the name of love?
In the name of love
What more in the name of love?
In the name of love
What more in the name of love?
The song "Pride" by U2 is a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. and the struggles that he faced in the fight for civil rights. The lyrics describe the different experiences of four 'one men' who each represent different themes that relate to King's life and struggle. The first two verses use metaphors and contrast the different experiences of these 'one men'. The first man comes in the name of love, and is a peaceful advocate for change. The second man is unable to fulfill his purpose of enacting change, and is merely a fleeting presence. The third man comes with the intention of justifying the suffering and oppression of others. The fourth and final 'one man' comes to overthrow the power structures that contributed to the suffering of the others. Thus, the song explores themes of love, resistance, betrayal, and pride in the face of adversity.
The last verse explicitly references King's assassination, as the lyrics describe the shooting in Memphis in April of 1968. The final line "they could not take your pride" is a direct reference to King's legacy and the continued impact of his message. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the idea that all of the events described in the song occurred in the name of love.
Overall, the lyrics of "Pride" are a powerful tribute to the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. They use metaphor and imagery to explore themes of love, betrayal, and resistance, while also directly referencing some of the key events that occurred during King's life and after his untimely death.
Line by Line Meaning
One man come in the name of love
A man appeared with the intention of spreading love and kindness
One man come and go
This man's appearance was brief and temporary
One man come he to justify
This man had a purpose to defend and prove his actions
One man to overthrow
This man aimed to take down or dismantle a power or system
In the name of love
All of these actions were driven by a desire for love
What more in the name of love?
What greater motivation or justification could there be than love?
One man caught on a barbed wire fence
A man was trapped and hurt by a physical barrier
One man he resist
This man had the strength to fight back and stand up for himself
One man washed up on an empty beach
A man's lifeless body was abandoned on a desolate shore
One man betrayed with a kiss
A man was deceived and hurt by someone who pretended to care for him
Early morning, April four
On a specific date and time, a significant event occurred
Shot rings out in the Memphis sky
A gunshot was heard in the air in Memphis
Free at last, they took your life
Although a life was lost, this person's spirit and ideals were not defeated
They could not take your pride
This person's inner strength and self-respect remained unscathed, even in the face of violence and hatred
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Adam Clayton, Dave Evans, Larry Mullen, Paul David Hewson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind