War – Edwin Starr

“War”


Oh no-there’s got to be a better way

Say it again

There’s got to be a better way-yeah

What is it good for? (war)


Man has a sense for the discovery of beauty

How rich is the world for one who makes you for us to show

Beauty must have power over man, war


After the end of the war I want to devote myself

To my thoughts for five to ten years and to writing them down

War has caused unrest among the younger generation

Induction then destruction, who wants to die?

Wars come and go what remains are only the values of culture


Then of course there is revolutionary love

Love of comrades fighting for the people and love of people

Not an abstract people but people one meets and works with

When Che Guevara taught of love being

At the center of revolutionary endeavor, he meant both


For people like Che or George Jackson or Malcolm X

Love was the prime mover of their struggle

That love cost them their lives, love coupled with a man’s pride

Love coupled with a man’s pride

Give it to you on top, now


War, I despise ’cause it means destruction of innocent lives

War, means tears to thousands of mothers how

When their sons go off to fight and lose their lives


I said, war, good god, now, what is it good for?

Absolutely, nothing

Say it again, war, what is it good for?

Absolutely, nothing, listen to me

War, it ain’t nothing but a heart breaker

War, friend only to the undertaker, war


War, what is it good for?

Absolutely nothing

Say it, war, good god now, what is it good for?

Absolutely nothing, say it, (war)


Oh no, there’s got to be a better way

Say it again, there’s got to be a better way

Yeah, what is it good for?

War, what is it good for?