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Buffalo Soldier (song) facts for kids

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"Buffalo Soldier"
BuffaloSoldier(Marley).jpg
Single by Bob Marley and the Wailers
from the album Confrontation
Released 1983
Recorded 1978
Genre Reggae
Length 4:17
Label
Songwriter(s) Bob Marley & King Sporty
Bob Marley and the Wailers singles chronology
"Reggae on Broadway"
(1981)
"Buffalo Soldier"
(1983)
"One Love/People Get Ready"
(1984)

"Buffalo Soldier" is a famous reggae song. It was written by Bob Marley and Noel "King Sporty" Williams. The song was recorded by Bob Marley and his band, Bob Marley and the Wailers.

It was released in 1983, after Bob Marley had passed away. The song appeared on his album Confrontation. It quickly became one of his most well-known songs. The song's name and words are about the black US cavalry soldiers. They were called "Buffalo Soldiers". These soldiers fought in the American Indian Wars after 1866. Bob Marley used their story to represent a fight for survival. He saw it as a symbol of black resistance.

Who Were the Buffalo Soldiers?

The name "Buffalo Soldier" was likely given to black troops by Native Americans. The soldiers liked this name. They knew that buffalo were brave and strong fighters.

The Buffalo Soldiers had many duties. They helped settle arguments about railroads. They also built telegraph lines. They repaired and built forts. Their work helped settlers move into lands taken from Native Americans. They also protected these settlers from Native Americans.

About the Song's Inspiration

There is a rumor about the song's bridge. The part with the lyrics woe! yoe! yo! was said to be inspired by a TV show. Some thought it came from "The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana)". This was the theme song for The Banana Splits TV show from 1968.

However, there is no proof of this. A story from the BBC in 2008 suggested this idea might not be true.

Music Video

A music video was made for "Buffalo Soldier". It helped promote the song when it was released.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Buffalo Soldier (canción) para niños

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