Edwin Starr – War lyrics

War Trk 6 3: 31
(Strong, Whitfield/ Starr)
Edwin Starr (Charles Edwin Hatcher) vocal
Backing male chorus: Stoney and Meat loaf
Pop Chart #1 July 11, 1970 Gordy Records single #7101
Band: The Funk Brothers Motown Records, Detroit
Album: Century Masters Best of Edwin Starr (Millennium Collection)

(War) h'uh
Yeah!
(What is it good for?)
Absolutely (nothin) uh-huh, uh-huh

(War) h'uh
Yeah!
(What is it good for?)
Absolutely (nothin')

Say it again, y'all
(War) h'uh (h'uh) look out!
(What is it good for?)
Absolutely (nothin')

Listen to me
Ooh war, I despise
'Cause it means destruction of innocent lives
War means tears, to thousands of mother's eyes
When their sons go off to fight and lose their lives

I said, war (h'uh)
Good God, y'all!
(What is it good for?)
Absolutely (nothin') 'gin
Say it, again

(War) whoa (h'uh) whoa-whoa, Lord
(What is it good for?)
Absolutely (nothin')
Listen to me!
(War)
It ain't nothin' but a heartbreaker!
(War)
Friend only to the undertaker
Ooh, war

Is an enemy to all mankind
The thought of war blows my mind
War has caused unrest
Within the younger generation
Induction, then destruction
Who wants to die?

Ooh war, Good God (h'uh) y'all!
(What is it good for?)
Absolutely (nothin')
Say it, say it, say it

(War)
Woah-h'uh (h'uh) yeah uh
(What is it good for?)
(Absolutely) nothin'
Listen to me
(War)

It ain't nothin' but a heartbreaker
(War)
It's got one thing and that's the undertaker
Ooh, war
Has shattered many a-young man's dreams
Made him disabled, bitter, and mean

And life is much too short and precious
To spend fighting wars each day
War can't give life
It can only take it away

Oh, war!
(H'uh) Good God, y'all
(What is it good for?)
Absolutely (nothin')
Say it, again
(War)
Whoa (h'uh) whoa-whoa, Lord
(What is it good for?)
A-absolutely (nothin')
Listen to me!

(War)
It ain't nothin' but a heartbreaker
(War)
Friend only to the undertaker
Woo!
Peace, love and understanding tell me
Is there no place for anything else?

They say we must fight
To keep our freedoms
But Lord, knows there's got to be
A better way

Oooh
(War)
God, y'all! (uh)
(What is it good for?)
You tell 'em! (h'uh)
Say it, say it, say it

(War)
Good God (h'uh) now, h'uh
Fades-
(What is it good for?)
Stand up and shout it
(Nothin'!)
(War)
It ain't nothin' but a heartbreaker
Ooh, war.

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