Buffalo Soldier – English Lyrics

• By: Bob Marley & The Wailers

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the rhythm and profound history of Bob Marley's "Buffalo Soldier"! This globally recognized reggae anthem offers a unique lens through which to explore English, particularly its rich vocabulary related to history, social justice, and resilience. Its clear narrative, combined with Marley's distinctive vocal style, makes it an excellent song for practicing listening comprehension and understanding powerful storytelling in music. Learn about a significant piece of American history while immersing yourself in the universal language of reggae.

[English]

(relaxed reggae music)

♪ Buffalo Soldier ♪

♪ Dreadlock Rasta ♪

♪ It was a Buffalo Soldier ♪

♪ In the heart of America ♪

♪ Stolen from Africa ♪

♪ Brought to America ♪

♪ Fighting on arrival ♪

♪ Fighting for survival ♪

♪ 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 ♪ ♪ 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, why yo yo ♪

♪ Why yo-yo-yo ♪

♪ Why yo yo, yo-yo, yo-yo-yo ♪

♪ Why yo yo ♪

♪ Why yo-yo-yo ♪

♪ Why yo yo, yo-yo, yo-yo-yo ♪

♪ Buffalo Soldier ♪

♪ Trodding through the land, whoa ♪

♪ Said he would've ran ♪

♪ And make you wanna hang ♪

♪ Trodding 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, why yo yo ♪

♪ Why yo-yo-yo ♪

♪ Why yo yo, yo-yo, yo-yo-yo ♪

♪ Why yo yo ♪

♪ Why yo-yo-yo ♪

♪ Why yo ♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
soldier /ˈsoʊldʒər/ A2	noun - a person serving in an army
heart /hɑːrt/ A2	noun - the organ in your chest that pumps blood around your body
America /əˈmerɪkə/ A1	noun - the United States of America
stolen /ˈstoʊlən/ B1	verb - past participle of steal; to take (something) without permission or legal right and without intending to return it
Africa /ˈæfrɪkə/ A1	noun - a continent south of Europe
fighting /ˈfaɪtɪŋ/ A2	verb - to take part in a violent struggle involving physical force or weapons
arrival /əˈraɪvəl/ B1	noun - the act of coming to a place
survival /sərˈvaɪvəl/ B1	noun - the state or fact of continuing to live or exist, especially in spite of difficult conditions
history /ˈhɪstəri/ A2	noun - the study of past events
land /lænd/ A1	noun - the part of the earth's surface that is not covered by water, as opposed to the sea or the air
war /wɔːr/ A2	noun - a state of armed conflict between different countries or different groups within a country
rasta /ˈrɑːstə/ B2	noun - a follower of Rastafarianism
dreadlock /ˈdredlɒk/ B2	noun - a hairstyle in which the hair is twisted into tight braids or ringlets
mainland /ˈmeɪnlænd/ B2	noun - a large continuous extent of land that includes the greater part of a country or territory, as opposed to offshore islands or detached territories
caribbean /ˌkærəˈbiːən/ B1	noun - a region that consists of the Caribbean Sea, its islands and the surrounding coasts