Bob Marley and Haile Selassie: How “War” Immortalized an Emperor’s Speech

Bob Marley’s music has long been celebrated for its powerful messages of unity, resistance, and social justice. His 1976 album Rastaman Vibration featured several tracks that spoke to the struggles of oppressed people worldwide, but one song in particular—War—was directly inspired by Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie’s 1963 speech to the United Nations. This moment in history not only solidified Selassie’s role as a symbol of African liberation but also demonstrated Marley’s deep reverence for the leader, whose words would be immortalized through reggae music.

Haile Selassie’s 1963 UN Speech: A Call Against Discrimination

In 1963, at the height of global civil rights movements and post-colonial struggles, Haile Selassie stood before the United Nations General Assembly and delivered a powerful speech that warned of the dire consequences of continued prejudice and discrimination. He spoke of peace, equality, and the urgent need to end racism in all its forms. His words were particularly significant for the African diaspora, inspiring movements that sought to dismantle institutionalized racism and colonial oppression.

One of the most striking passages from his speech reads:

“Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned… until the color of a man’s skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes… until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race… the dream of lasting peace and world citizenship shall remain but a fleeting illusion.”

This message resonated deeply with Bob Marley and the Rastafari movement, which venerates Selassie as a divine figure and champion of African liberation.

Bob Marley’s War: A Song of Resistance

More than a decade after Selassie’s speech, Bob Marley transformed these words into one of his most powerful protest anthems. The song War, from his Rastaman Vibration album, takes almost verbatim passages from Selassie’s address and sets them to music, reinforcing their impact and ensuring that they reached a global audience.

The lyrics to War are a direct call for racial equality and an end to oppression:

“Until the philosophy which hold one race superior and another inferior Is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned… Everywhere is war.”

By setting these words to his signature reggae beat, Marley ensured that Selassie’s call for justice would resonate far beyond political chambers, finding a place in the hearts of millions through music. War became a rallying cry for those fighting against apartheid in South Africa, systemic racism in the United States, and oppression in various parts of the world.

The Lasting Impact of Marley’s Tribute

Bob Marley’s decision to adapt Haile Selassie’s speech into War serves as a testament to the enduring power of words and music. His song kept the message of equality alive, spreading it to audiences who may never have read Selassie’s speech but could feel its urgency through Marley’s passionate delivery. To this day, War remains one of the most significant songs in the fight against racial injustice.

Marley not only paid tribute to Selassie but also strengthened the spiritual and cultural ties between Ethiopia and the Rastafarian community. Through his music, the words of an Ethiopian emperor found a new home in the global struggle for human rights, proving that true wisdom and justice know no boundaries.

Conclusion

Bob Marley’s War is more than just a song—it is a historical bridge between political advocacy and artistic expression. By immortalizing Haile Selassie’s UN speech, Marley ensured that the fight against discrimination would continue long after the words were first spoken. Even today, his song serves as a reminder that the struggle for equality is ongoing, and as long as injustice exists, Selassie’s words—and Marley’s voice—will continue to inspire generations to stand up and fight for change.

It seems the world was in turmoil in 1963 when Haile Selassie, Ethiopian Emperor, addressed the United Nations and voiced the longings of those who suffered from inequality, oppression, and war. Little did he know that his words would continue to resonate in the hearts of many years later, and would inspire one of the world’s most beloved songs, Bob Marley’s 1976 track “War”