Interpretation
The lyrics of 'War' by
Bob Marley are a powerful condemnation of racism, inequality, and injustice. It emphasizes that there can be no peace until the philosophy that considers one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned ('Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned').
Bob Marley also speaks out against discrimination based on skin color and states that there will be war until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes ('Until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes, me say war').
Furthermore, he demands equal basic human rights for all, regardless of their race ('That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all, without regard to race, dis a war').
The lyrics strongly oppose oppressive regimes, particularly those in Angola, Mozambique, and South Africa, which hold people in 'sub-human bondage'. Marley emphasizes that these regimes must be toppled and utterly destroyed ('And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes... have been toppled, utterly destroyed, well, everywhere is war, me say war').
The line 'War in east, war in the west, war up north, war down south, war, war, rumours of war' underscores that the fight against injustice is global.
Marley also emphasizes that the African continent will not know peace until these injustices are eradicated. But he is confident in the victory of good over evil ('As we are confident in the victory of good over evil, good over evil, good over evil').
Overall, 'War' is a call to action, to combat injustice and create a more just world.