War

Sinéad O'Connor, Bob Marley

About War

"War" is a song recorded and made popular by Bob Marley. It first appeared on Bob Marley and the Wailers' 1976 Island Records album, Rastaman Vibration, Marley's only top 10 album in the USA. (In UK it reached position 15 May 15, 1976.) The lyrics are almost entirely derived from a speech made by Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I before the United Nations General Assembly on 4 October 1963.


4:05
6,809 
#2

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

Until the philosophy,
Which holds one race superior
And another inferior,
Is finally and permanently
Discredited and abandoned,
Everywhere is war.

Until there is no longer first class
Or second class citizens of any nation.
Until the color of a man's skin,
Is of no more significance than
The color of his eyes,
I've got to say "war".

That until the basic human rights,
Are equally guaranteed to all,
Without regard to race,
I'll say "war"

Until that day the dream of lasting peace,
World-citizenship and the rule of
International morality will remain
Just a fleeting illusion to be pursued,
But never obtained.
And everywhere is war.

Until the ignoble and unhappy regime
Which holds all of us through,
Child-abuse, yeah, child-abuse yeah,
Sub-human bondage has been toppled,
Utterly destroyed,
Everywhere is war.

War in the east,
War in the west,
War up north,
War down south,
There is war,
And the rumors of war.

Until that day,
There is no continent,
Which will know peace.

Children, children.

Fight!

We find it necessary.
We know we will win.
We have confidence in the victory
Of good over evil

Fight the real enemy!

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


Bob Marley

Nesta Robert Marley OM (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981), more widely and commonly known as Bob Marley, was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers (1963–1981). Marley remains the most widely known and revered performer of reggae music, and is credited with helping spread both Jamaican music and the Rastafari movement to a worldwide audience. more »

16 fans

Written by: ROSANGLIANA, H. S. LALRUATLIANA, JOSHUA ZORAMLIANA, P. B. LIANMAWIA

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Lyrics Source
The lyrics of the song "War" are taken almost verbatim from a speech made by Haile Selassie, the 225th Emperor of Ethiopia, at the United Nations in 1963.
Song theme
The unifying theme of the song is the righteous struggle for African liberation and resistance against racial oppression.
Album Origin
"War" is a track from the album "Rastaman Vibration", which was released in 1976. This album is unique for being the only studio album by Bob Marley & The Wailers to reach the top 10 on the Billboard 200 charts.
Rastafarian Representation
The song encapsulates Rastafarian beliefs - Rastafarians view Haile Selassie as the physical presence of God (Jah), and his speech from where the lyrics were taken is a cornerstone of Rastafarian philosophy.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by various artists, including 'Sublime' and 'Sinéad O'Connor', demonstrating its timeless appeal and influence.
Live Performance
When Bob Marley performed this song for the Smile Jamaica concert in 1976, he did not confine his performance to the stage. Instead, he walked among the audience, symbolically enacting the walk to freedom for all black individuals.
Lyrics Importance
The lyrics of 'War' are so significant that they have been stored in the Reggae Hall of Fame and the speech is taught in schools in Jamaica as a part of the curriculum.
Reggae Influence
"War" is a prime example of Bob Marley's use of reggae music to spread political and social messages, highlighting the genre's capability to be a powerful tool for change.
Symbolic Resistance
Bob Marley used "War” as a symbol of resistance and resilience during the 1976 Smile Jamaica concert, which came two days after he was wounded in an assassination attempt.
Unofficial National Anthem
Though not an official national anthem, the themes presented in "War" have made it a revered anthem for black liberation worldwide.

Discuss the War Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "War Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 16 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/839070/Bob+Marley/War>.

    Missing lyrics by Bob Marley?

    Know any other songs by Bob Marley? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    War

    5.3M
    31,716     1,229

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    What was the most popular song of 1983?
    A Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners
    B Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler
    C Every Breath You Take by The Police
    D Billie Jean by Michael Jackson

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss Bob Marley's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    Bob Marley tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!