This week, Helen at This Thing Called Life One Word At A Time is looking for a song about the military. Not as straightforward as some of the themes we’ve had – especially having discounted, as I did immediately, Village People’s ‘In The Navy’ – but inspiration struck a little later with this song by Bob Marley, which refers to the black US cavalry regiments of the post Civil War period.
Buffalo Soldier, dreadlock Rasta
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 these things
To me, it makes a lot of sense
How the dreadlock Rasta was the Buffalo Soldier
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
Buffalo Soldier, troddin’ through the land woo ooh
Said he wanna ran, then you wanna hand
Troddin’ through the land, yea, yea
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
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
Songwriters
BOB MARLEY, NOEL WILLIAMS
Published by
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Song Lyric Sunday 28 May 2017
the only deadhead in the hameau 
I’ve never really listened to the lyrics of this one before. Really good!
Bob Marley is a classic. I too hadn’t really listened to the lyrics, but they are really good. Thanks for sharing this!