Bob Marley — Buffalo Soldier
![](https://img.radioparadise.com/covers/m/B00005MK9Z.jpg)
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Total ratings: 1071
Length: 4:13
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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 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
Dreadie, woe yoe yoe, woe woe yoe yoe
Woe yoe yoe yo, yo yo woe yo, woe yoe yoe
(repeat)
Buffalo Soldier, trodding through the land
Said he wanna ran, then you wanna hand
Trodding 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
Singing, woe yoe yoe, woe woe yoe yoe
Woe yoe yoe yo, yo yo woe yo woe yo yoe
(repeat)
Trodding through San Juan
In the arms of America
Trodding through Jamaica, a Buffalo Soldier
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
Buffalo Soldier, Dreadlock Rasta
Woe yoe yoe, woe woe yoe yoe
Woe yoe yeo yo, yo yo woe yo woe yo yoe
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 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
Dreadie, woe yoe yoe, woe woe yoe yoe
Woe yoe yoe yo, yo yo woe yo, woe yoe yoe
(repeat)
Buffalo Soldier, trodding through the land
Said he wanna ran, then you wanna hand
Trodding 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
Singing, woe yoe yoe, woe woe yoe yoe
Woe yoe yoe yo, yo yo woe yo woe yo yoe
(repeat)
Trodding through San Juan
In the arms of America
Trodding through Jamaica, a Buffalo Soldier
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
Buffalo Soldier, Dreadlock Rasta
Woe yoe yoe, woe woe yoe yoe
Woe yoe yeo yo, yo yo woe yo woe yo yoe
Comments (73)add comment
scrubbrush wrote:
I think about this T.V show every time I hear this song
I think about this T.V show every time I hear this song
Nice segue from Johnny Nash... was just reading in the comments about the connection between the two artists. I learn so much about music being a long time RP listener -_-
last comment 6 years old and only one play in last 30 days - back in rotation :-) start at 8 and see where it goes
oioioioioi Gubellini segna per noi! SBAAAAAANG ![{#Biggrin} {#Biggrin}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_biggrin.gif)
![{#Biggrin} {#Biggrin}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_biggrin.gif)
Can't help but think of that South Park episode where Randy exposes himself to the microwave in order to get testicular cancer so that he would qualify for medical marijuana.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YEarMyIAzs
Jelani wrote:
Rats! I was just about to write the same thing. It's probably sacriligeous, but in this song yer man Bob sounds an awful lot like the Banana Splits theme :o)
TRA LA LA LALALALA.....
![](https://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSQWmN5pgPwznks38CeEBHTRhyT4nICtThnjDCP-McAAD1A6PA&t=1&usg=__n4_UIeStVgHoKoT0TitzfMZUomU=)
Rats! I was just about to write the same thing. It's probably sacriligeous, but in this song yer man Bob sounds an awful lot like the Banana Splits theme :o)
I like buffalo wings.
Jelani wrote:
similarity between songs even mentioned in wikipedia:
Buffalo Soldier (song)
"Buffalo Soldier" is a reggae song written by Bob Marley and Noel G. "King Sporty" Williams from Marley's final recording sessions in 1980. It did not appear on record until the 1983 posthumous release of Confrontation, when it became one of Marley's best-known songs. The title and lyrics refer to the black U.S. cavalry regiments, known as "Buffalo Soldiers", that fought in the Indian Wars after 1866. Marley likened their fight to a fight for survival, and recasts it as a symbol of black resistance.Update: My 11 year-old's new favorite song. He heard it on the radio recently and asked that I immediately load it on his mp3 player
TRA LA LA LALALALA.....
![](https://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSQWmN5pgPwznks38CeEBHTRhyT4nICtThnjDCP-McAAD1A6PA&t=1&usg=__n4_UIeStVgHoKoT0TitzfMZUomU=)
similarity between songs even mentioned in wikipedia:
Buffalo Soldier (song)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Buffalo Soldier" is a reggae song written by Bob Marley and Noel G. "King Sporty" Williams from Marley's final recording sessions in 1980. It did not appear on record until the 1983 posthumous release of Confrontation, when it became one of Marley's best-known songs. The title and lyrics refer to the black U.S. cavalry regiments, known as "Buffalo Soldiers", that fought in the Indian Wars after 1866. Marley likened their fight to a fight for survival, and recasts it as a symbol of black resistance.
The song's bridge, with the lyrics woy! yoy! yoy!, is similar to the chorus of the Banana Splits' "The Tra-La-La Song", the 1968 theme from their TV show, written by Mark Barkan and Ritchie Adams. There has never been any litigation connected to the similarity.
Jelani wrote:
Yep, every time.
TRA LA LA LALALALA.....
![](https://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSQWmN5pgPwznks38CeEBHTRhyT4nICtThnjDCP-McAAD1A6PA&t=1&usg=__n4_UIeStVgHoKoT0TitzfMZUomU=)
Yep, every time.
Disco Bob. Still great, but I'd love to hear something that wasn't on his "Greatest Hits" album, like 'Sun is Shining.'
![{#Bananasplit} {#Bananasplit}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/bananasplit.gif)
romeotuma wrote:
The title and lyrics refer to the black U.S. cavalry regiments, known as "Buffalo Soldiers", that fought in the Indian Wars after 1866. Marley likened their fight to a fight for survival, and recasts it as a symbol of black resistance.
It is interesting that some critics consider the chorus of this song to be plagiarism of the theme song for the Banana Splits TV show...
Yes it is interesting, I've personally been researching for years trying to settle this dispute. The Banana Splits Show first aired on Sept 7, 1968 — and this "Buffalo Soldier" song was posthumously released 1983, credited as something "previously unreleased, recorded sometime during Marley's career"..... I haven't found anything specific as to when Marley wrote his song, or might have first performed it.
The title and lyrics refer to the black U.S. cavalry regiments, known as "Buffalo Soldiers", that fought in the Indian Wars after 1866. Marley likened their fight to a fight for survival, and recasts it as a symbol of black resistance.
It is interesting that some critics consider the chorus of this song to be plagiarism of the theme song for the Banana Splits TV show...
Yes it is interesting, I've personally been researching for years trying to settle this dispute. The Banana Splits Show first aired on Sept 7, 1968 — and this "Buffalo Soldier" song was posthumously released 1983, credited as something "previously unreleased, recorded sometime during Marley's career"..... I haven't found anything specific as to when Marley wrote his song, or might have first performed it.
Hmmm, this starts out differently that the version on my copy of Legend. Wonder why.
Awesome!
Just goes to show that I can now never trust a rating on any song on here... 6.9? You kidding me? This should at least be an 8.2.
4:20 + :25 CST
Jelani wrote:
Exactly!!! I've been comparing these 2 songs for years, only to come to this posting board and find it's not just me recognizing the similarity after all.... I'm in good company — LOVED the Banana Splits show!
TRA LA LA LALALALA.....
![](https://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSQWmN5pgPwznks38CeEBHTRhyT4nICtThnjDCP-McAAD1A6PA&t=1&usg=__n4_UIeStVgHoKoT0TitzfMZUomU=)
Exactly!!! I've been comparing these 2 songs for years, only to come to this posting board and find it's not just me recognizing the similarity after all.... I'm in good company — LOVED the Banana Splits show!
sirdroseph wrote:![{#Ask} {#Ask}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_ask.gif)
Oyyyy yoy, yoy, oyyyy, yo yoy yoy!!!!![{#Bananajam} {#Bananajam}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/bananajam.gif)
Hurtin' are you ? ![{#Bananajam} {#Bananajam}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/bananajam.gif)
![{#Ask} {#Ask}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_ask.gif)
mauflex wrote:
I must have told you 10000000000 times not to exaggerate.
Oh God, 20 years since I heard this song for the first of.....10000000000 times?! ...and I still love it!
I must have told you 10000000000 times not to exaggerate.
I have to admit that I think of the Banana Splits from my childhood every time I hear this song.
TRA LA LA LALALALA.....
![](https://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSQWmN5pgPwznks38CeEBHTRhyT4nICtThnjDCP-McAAD1A6PA&t=1&usg=__n4_UIeStVgHoKoT0TitzfMZUomU=)
Papernapkin wrote:
He also comes on and says "You're listening to Radio Paradise" and other OBVIOUS things. Maybe he can be replaced with one of those 'bot DJs?
NEVER!!
It's interesting that Bill will come on the air after a set and say...
He also comes on and says "You're listening to Radio Paradise" and other OBVIOUS things. Maybe he can be replaced with one of those 'bot DJs?
NEVER!!
Papernapkin wrote:
I'm under 40 (31) and I still know Bob, TH and the Dead. Not rabid fans of any of them, but I'd rather listen to them then any of the crap that's on the radio now. I haven't listened to terrestrial radio (other then NPR) for years.
It's interesting that Bill will come on the air after a set and say, 'That's Bob Marley, or The Talking Heads, or Greatful Dead.' Who is he enlightening? Nearly everyone here is over 40. You'd think we'd know who the oldies are by now. No need to be a talking head, unless you play, um, something new.
I'm under 40 (31) and I still know Bob, TH and the Dead. Not rabid fans of any of them, but I'd rather listen to them then any of the crap that's on the radio now. I haven't listened to terrestrial radio (other then NPR) for years.
Oyyyy yoy, yoy, oyyyy, yo yoy yoy!!!!![{#Bananajam} {#Bananajam}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/bananajam.gif)
![{#Bananajam} {#Bananajam}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/bananajam.gif)
Oh God, 20 years since I heard this song for the first of.....10000000000 times?! ...and I still love it!
It's interesting that Bill will come on the air after a set and say, 'That's Bob Marley, or The Talking Heads, or Greatful Dead.' Who is he enlightening? Nearly everyone here is over 40. You'd think we'd know who the oldies are by now. No need to be a talking head, unless you play, um, something new.
There will be no working this afternoon!
SweTex wrote:
SweTex wrote:
Gee, Bill, I'm trying to work here! Talking Heads and now this!![{#Bananajam} {#Bananajam}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/bananajam.gif)
![{#Bananajam} {#Bananajam}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/bananajam.gif)
Gee, Bill, I'm trying to work here! Talking Heads and now this!![{#Bananajam} {#Bananajam}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/bananajam.gif)
![{#Bananajam} {#Bananajam}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/bananajam.gif)
rocco1207 wrote:
Bobviously the Splits.
I always noticed how similar the two were - the question is: which came first?
Bobviously the Splits.
roguewarer wrote:
Yes.
I think Robert lifted the tune.![{#Lol} {#Lol}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_lol.gif)
Should the Banana Splits sue?
Got a little of "The Banana Splits" (a 70's kids show) in dere, me hears. "LA-LA-LA, Tra-la-la-la, LA-LA-LA-la-la-la-la-la!" :p Edited By roguewarer at 10:26 am on 4/24/2003
Yes.
I think Robert lifted the tune.
![{#Lol} {#Lol}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_lol.gif)
Should the Banana Splits sue?
![{#Notworthy} {#Notworthy}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_notworthy.gif)
![{#Clap} {#Clap}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_clap.gif)
This will always be a classic.
I remember the first time I heard this song. i bought the single. I think it was late elementary school or JH.
*mute* Playing instead...Gusters "the Captain."
I know I'm supposed to bow to to the greatness that is Bob Marley... but it's just not my thing. I respect what he is to music, and reggae in particular, but I just can't listen.
Besides... this song makes me think of a comedy bit by comedian John Pinet (spelling?). It was of The Chipmunks doing their versions of popular songs. And, of course, this one was sung in the chipmunk voice... "He was a Buffalo Chipmuuuuunk...". That'd be fun to hear a full version of if it really existed.![{#Mrgreen} {#Mrgreen}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_mrgreen.gif)
Besides... this song makes me think of a comedy bit by comedian John Pinet (spelling?). It was of The Chipmunks doing their versions of popular songs. And, of course, this one was sung in the chipmunk voice... "He was a Buffalo Chipmuuuuunk...". That'd be fun to hear a full version of if it really existed.
![{#Mrgreen} {#Mrgreen}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_mrgreen.gif)
ARGH! Raggae! ARGH!
hanssachs wrote:
Hasn't gotten any better, has it (the music, that is)?
No, it hasn't. But that's because it was perfect to begin with.
- John
Dynamic Range Radio
Not that's a bad song... but a bit too mainstream for my liking on this channel.
ya a bit of the Banana Splits but the background allways makes me think of a few hebrew cantors singing 'oh yo yoo'
very wrong but that's what I hear
![clap](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/eusa_clap.gif)
I can just picture Bob Marley watching the Banana Splits with his kids going...."wow Mon...dats a great song...pass the gonga".
wiki wiki (click here) clicky
jmsmy wrote:
Totally, and since I myself cut teeth on Banana Splits long before hearing any Bob, to me this song will always be His homage to Fleegle, Bingo, Drooper, and Snorky!
That's the same hook that's in the Banana Splits song
![](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/bananasplit.gif)
![](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/dancingbanana_2.gif)
![](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/bananajumprope.gif)
![](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/dancingbanana.gif)
Totally, and since I myself cut teeth on Banana Splits long before hearing any Bob, to me this song will always be His homage to Fleegle, Bingo, Drooper, and Snorky!
Hasn't gotten any better, has it (the music, that is)?
Hey Gang, if you ever get the chance to visit the city of Sierra Vista, Arizona, be sure and go to the Fort Huachuca Post Museum. Ft Huachuca is the Home of the Buffalo Soldier and there are great historical references there about their heroic service with the US Army. There is still a Buffalo Soldier memorial cavalry troop which does marches and reviews on ceremonial occasions.
What's the Banana Splits? Giant animals sound fun!
That's the same hook that's in the Banana Splits song
Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
OK. I know I'm really old, but does anyone else hear the theme song from "The banana splits?
Intentional, man.
Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
OK. I know I'm really old, but does anyone else hear the theme song from "The banana splits?
guess so :-)
oscar_driver wrote:
Solid 8!
Solid 3 for me, but I won't rate a song poorly just because I can't stand the genre.
OK. I know I'm really old, but does anyone else hear the theme song from "The banana splits?
ginathelintqueen wrote:
This is *hilarous* --it *is* the Bannana Split Gang song. Only I liked that one better. Something about giant animals on rollerskates does it for me every time!
;-)
-gina
I always noticed how similar the two were - the question is: which came first?
Solid 8!
UncleRemus wrote:
I guess they heard you. Today, on 24-Jun-2004, the song has been out of the rotation since last September. Still a great song!
And apparently now it's been out for almost 3 years...?!
Like the song but definately heard too much
ccordova wrote:
I don't mind Reggae, and Bob Marley is cool. But RP is *WAY* overplaying this song. Time to find another Marley tune.
I guess they heard you. Today, on 24-Jun-2004, the song has been out of the rotation since last September. Still a great song!
![frustrated](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_frustrated.gif)
![frustrated](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_frustrated.gif)
This is *hilarous* --it *is* the Bannana Split Gang song. Only I liked that one better. Something about giant animals on rollerskates does it for me every time!
;-)
-gina
Omigosh, me thinks I shall go crazy!!!! First the \"own two hands\" and now this?? ARghh!@!
Only disco outranks regae on the musical-genre-suckorama meter.
![moon](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_moon.gif)
![moon](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_moon.gif)
One banana, two banana, three banana, four
Four bananas make a bunch and so do many more.
Over hill and highway the banana buggies go
Comin\' to bring you the Banana Split show
Makin\' up a mess of fun, makin\' up a mess of fun
Lots of fun for everyone
Originally Posted by KevDog:
I'll say it again, all Marley sounds the same. I just don't see the fascination.
Listening to Marley is just part of the fun. Dig a little deeper - but not too much deeper, it's not that dense. Take a trip to the islands, sip a few dozen Planter's Punches, roll a nice phat one, and it'll start to sink in.
Originally sung by Bob Marley:
He was a Buffalo Soldier
In the war for America
Fighting on arrival,
Fighting for survival
One of the great classic reggae songs, but I\'ve always thought it sounded like the \"Banana Splits Song.\"
babble.
Nice segue from Johnny Nash... was just reading in the comments about the connection between the two artists. I learn so much about music being a long time RP listener -_-
1 year later, this followed Johnny Cash. =D