War – English Lyrics

• By: Edwin Starr

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a linguistic and historical journey with Edwin Starr's 'War.' This powerful anthem offers a unique opportunity to learn English through its passionate and direct lyrics, which articulate a universal message against conflict. The song's simple yet profound language makes it an excellent tool for language learners to grasp strong emotional expression and political commentary in English. Discover what makes this song a timeless and impactful piece of music history.

[English]

(War) h'uh

Yeah!

(What is it good for?)

Absolutely (nothin) uh-huh, uh-huh

(War) h'uh

Yeah!

(What is it good for?)

Absolutely (nothin')

Say it again, y'all

(War) h'uh (h'uh) look out!

(What is it good for?)

Absolutely (nothin')

Listen to me

Ooh war, I despise

'Cause it means destruction of innocent lives

War means tears, to thousands of mother's eyes

When their sons go off to fight and lose their lives

I said, war (h'uh)

Good God, y'all!

(What is it good for?)

Absolutely (nothin') 'gin

Say it, again

(War) whoa (h'uh) whoa-whoa, Lord

(What is it good for?)

Absolutely (nothin')

Listen to me!

(War)

It ain't nothin' but a heartbreaker!

(War)

Friend only to the undertaker

Ooh, war

Is an enemy to all mankind

The thought of war blows my mind

War has caused unrest

Within the younger generation

Induction, then destruction

Who wants to die?

Ooh war, Good God (h'uh) y'all!

(What is it good for?)

Absolutely (nothin')

Say it, say it, say it

(War)

Woah-h'uh (h'uh) yeah uh

(What is it good for?)

(Absolutely) nothin'

Listen to me

(War)

It ain't nothin' but a heartbreaker

(War)

It's got one thing and that's the undertaker

Ooh, war

Has shattered many a-young man's dreams

Made him disabled, bitter, and mean

And life is much too short and precious

To spend fighting wars each day

War can't give life

It can only take it away

Oh, war!

(H'uh) Good God, y'all

(What is it good for?)

Absolutely (nothin')

Say it, again

(War)

Whoa (h'uh) whoa-whoa, Lord

(What is it good for?)

A-absolutely (nothin')

Listen to me!

(War)

It ain't nothin' but a heartbreaker

(War)

Friend only to the undertaker

Woo!

Peace, love and understanding tell me

Is there no place for anything else?

They say we must fight

To keep our freedom

But Lord, knows there's got to be

A better way

Oooh

(War)

God, y'all! (uh)

(What is it good for?)

You tell 'em! (h'uh)

Say it, say it, say it

(War)

Good God (h'uh) now, h'uh

(What is it good for?)

Stand up and shout it

(Nothin'!)

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
destruction /dɪsˈtrʌkʃən/ B2	noun - the act of destroying something completely
tear /tɪər/ B1	noun - a drop of liquid from the eye caused by emotion or sadness verb - to rip or split apart forcibly
heartbreaker /ˈhɑːrtˌbreɪkər/ C1	noun - someone who causes emotional pain, especially by ending a romantic relationship
peace /piːs/ A2	noun - a state of tranquility or quiet, free from conflict
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - a strong feeling of affection verb - to feel deep affection for someone
kill /kɪl/ A2	verb - to cause death
fight /faɪt/ A2	verb - to engage in physical or verbal combat
destroy /dɪˈstrɔɪ/ B2	verb - to cause something to cease to exist
generation /ˌdʒɛnəˈreɪʃən/ B2	noun - a group of people born around the same time
enemy /ˈɛnəmi/ B2	noun - a person or group that is hostile or opposed
fight /faɪt/ A2	noun - a physical or verbal struggle

Key Grammar Structures

• War means tears, to thousands of mother's eyes.

  ➔ Simple present tense

  ➔ The phrase "War means tears" uses the simple present tense to express a general truth.

• It ain't nothin' but a heartbreaker!

  ➔ Colloquial contraction

  ➔ The phrase "It ain't nothin'" is a colloquial contraction of "It is not anything".

• War has caused unrest within the younger generation.

  ➔ Present perfect tense

  ➔ The phrase "War has caused unrest" uses the present perfect tense to indicate an action that has relevance to the present.

• Who wants to die?

  ➔ Interrogative form

  ➔ The phrase "Who wants to die?" is in interrogative form, asking a question about desire.

• Life is much too short and precious.

  ➔ Adverbial phrase

  ➔ The phrase "much too short and precious" is an adverbial phrase that modifies the noun "life".

• Peace, love and understanding tell me.

  ➔ Compound subject

  ➔ The phrase "Peace, love and understanding" is a compound subject consisting of three nouns.

• But Lord, knows there's got to be a better way.

  ➔ Subordinate clause

  ➔ The phrase "there's got to be a better way" is a subordinate clause that expresses necessity.