Ballad Blog

Buffalo Soldier lyrics
By: Bob Marley

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 the stench
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're coming from
Then you wouldn't have to ask me
Who the 'eck 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

Dreadie, woy yoy yoy, woy yoy-yoy yoy
(From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/b/bob-marley-lyrics/buffalo-soldier-lyrics.html)
Woy yoy yoy yoy, yoy yoy-yoy yoy
Woy yoy yoy, woy yoy-yoy yoy
Woy yoy yoy yoy, yoy yoy-yoy yoy
Buffalo soldier troddin' through the land, wo-ho-ooh
Said he wanna ran and then you wanna hand
Troddin' through the land, yea-hea, yea-ea

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, woy yoy yoy, woy yoy-yoy yoy
Woy yoy yoy yoy, yoy yoy-yoy yoy
Woy yoy yoy, woy yoy-yoy yoy
Woy yoy yoy yoy, yoy yoy-yoy yoy

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

Woy yoy yoy, woy yoy-yoy yoy
Woy yoy yoy yoy, yoy yoy-yoy yoy
Woy yoy yoy, woy yoy-yoy yoy
Woy yoy yoy yoy, yoy yoy-yoy yoy

 

Reasons this song is a ballad:

     There are eight characteristics of ballads, Dramatization of a single incident, Little reflection on expression, Dialogue or questions and answers that further the story, a simple beat with uncomplicated rhyme, regular repeated refrain at the end of each stanza, Lyrical stanza after each narrative, suggests rather than stating, and finally the ballad is based on actual events. Bob Marley's song meets five of the eight characteristics. Likewise the ballad also falls under four topics, murderous acts and desire for revenge, tragic accidents and sudden disaster, heroic deeds and quests for honor, and jealous sweethearts with unrequited love. Buffalo soldier falls under the heroic deeds and quest for honor topic.

     Buffalo Soldier talks of heroic events and the quest for honor because the song is talking about African-American soldiers who had joined the army shortly after they were freed from slavery. Abraham Lincoln saw this heroism and wrote "The black soldiers in the Civil war had so heroically vindicated their manhood on the battlefield where, in assisting to save the life of the republic, they have demonstrated in blood their right to the ballot." 

some of the similar characteristics between this song and a ballad are:

Dramatization of a single incident- In this song Marley states that the buffalo soldier (an African American soldier now fighting for the U.S.) was stolen from Africa. While many African Americans were stolen from Africa and brought here in slavery it is more likely that any soldiers fighting in the military were decedents of those originally brought here. African men were not taken from Africa arrive in America and immediately enlisted in the military, it took years before African Americans were allowed to fight.

Simple beat and uncomplicated rhyme- this is a pretty self explanatory characteristic that can be heard when listening to the song.
Regularly repeated refrain- This song repeats the "was a buffalo soldier, dreadlock rasta
Buffalo soldier in the heart of America" lyrics multiple times.
Suggests rather than states- this song does not just come out and say that it is talking about the heroism of the African American in the U.S. army rather it clues you in and makes statements that would lead you to make that conclusion.
Based on actual events- this song talks about African American involvement the U.S. military shortly after their freedom in our country.  
 

Brit Lit Hero Blog

 Fictional Hero- My Fictional hero would have to be Captain America. Steve Rogers a.k.a. Captain America was denied entrance into the military in the WWII  due to his frail physique. After a blow like this to anyone's self esteem they would promptly give up, but not Rogers, no he falsifies documents time after time trying desperately to get into the fight. Finally a special divisions scientist notices Rogers illegal attempts to join the military by falsifying documents but rather than turn him in he recognizes Steve's good heart and invites him to be apart of an experiment that will ultimately give him superhuman strength, speed, and endurance. These new found traits combined with Captain America's never surrender attitude patriotism and unfaltering courage are what make Captain America a great hero.

Personal Hero- My personal Hero is Tim Jackson former Roncalli student and current member of the United States armed forces. Tim has already served a tour and is constantly putting his life on the line for our freedom here in the U.S. Tim has been a long time personal friend who has taught me many life lessons and has always been their to encourage me. Tim represents to me a larger group of people who put themselves in the line of fire for the common good for us back home but knowing him on a personal level makes the sacrifice mean all the more. Jackson is not only my friend but also a role model and hero.


Popular Hero- Marcus Luttrell a now retired Navy Seal awarded both the Navy Cross (The highest decoration that the Navy can bestow) and Purple Heart for his valiant efforts in operation red wing. Luttrell's mission was to gather intelligence and take out a taliban leader in the Hindu Kush responsible for killings in Afghanistan and the Hindu Kush. After three goat herders stumbled upon the seal team's position they decided rather than kill the goat herders to guarantee their safety and keep the integrity of their position they would allow them to leave. The goat herders immediately informed the Taliban of the team's location and they were soon attacked. After loosing all his men in combat with the Taliban and having personally been shot through both hips Marcus evades the men chasing him on the perilous mountain terrain and is taken in by tribes men living on the mountain while he recovers until he is eventually rescued.