Buffalo Soldier

'Buffalo Soldier' is possibly Bob Marley's most well known song, and one of the easiest songs to sing-along to. This song is special to me, not only because of the simplicity of the beat, the relaxed mood, or the usical talent of Bob's band, The Wailers - this track also has a powerful message against rasism. The song's lyrics tell the story of a buffalo soldier, the name given to black soldiers in the days of slavery in America, who were forced to fight against the Native Indians. They were used as 'cannon fodder' to be killed instead of more 'valuable' white soldiers. The aspect I enjoy most about the lyrics is that Marley doesn't highlight the deaths and bad aspects - He emphasises that they were Buffalo Soldiers - A name given by the Indians out of respect and bravery of those black soldiers.nMarley admires these people - his ancestor - and through his lyrics they are remembered forever. Bob Marley was a political icon in his time and one of his main aims was to remind black people in America and Jamaica of the shackles that held them down for so many years. In the line "fighting on arrival, fighting for survival" Bob looks at the way African Americans have had to fight against things like rasism since arriving in America as slaves. Bob wants black people to remember the brave spirits of their ancesotors, so they can be proud of who they are. In other words, "Buffalo Soldier" is a way of making black Americans proud of who they are, by reminding them of their roots, and not letting them forget the cruelty of the past. Eric Clapton once said, "If I had to describe Bob Marley in a few words, I'd say he was a great lyrics writer, a musical genius, and a great leader of men." One of the reasons why Buffalo Soldier is so special to me, is because it is an excellent example of all three of these aspects - his powerful lyrics, his leadership, and his musical talent.