Practice the topic of war & peace in your ESL class with this song, War (what is it good for?) by Edwin Starr. The war-related voclabulary in this song’s lyrics are: war, destruction of innocent lives, tears, to fight, lose their lives, the undertaker, enemy, mankind, unrest, to die, to shatter dreams, disabled, bitter, mean, fighting wars, peace, love, understanding, freedom… etc.
To see suggestions on how to use this song in class, click here.
Lyrics
War, huh! yeah!
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
War, huh! yeah!
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Say it again, y’all
War, huh! good god!
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, listen to me
Oh, war, I despise
‘Cause it means destruction of innocent lives
War means tears to thousands of mothers’ eyes
When their sons go to fight
And lose their lives
I said, war, huh! good god, y’all
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, say it again
War, whoa! lord!
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
Oh, war! It’s an enemy to all mankind
The point of war blows my mind
War has caused unrest within the younger generation
Induction then destruction
Who wants to die?
Ah, war! huh! good god y’all
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Say it, say it, say it
War, huh!
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, listen to me
(War) It ain’t nothing but a heart breaker
(War) it’s got one friend that’s the undertaker
Oh, war has shattered many a young man’s dreams
Made him disabled, bitter and mean
Life is much to short and precious to spend fighting wars these days
War can’t give life
It can only take it away
Oh, war, huh! good god y’all
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing, say it again
War! Whoa, lord!
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
Peace, love and understanding
Tell me, is there no place for them today?
They say we must fight to keep our freedom
But lord knows there’s got to be a better way
Oh, war, huh! good god y’all
What is it good for? You tell me
Say it, say it, say it, say it
Huh! good god y’all
What is it good for?
Stand up and shout it: nothing
Edwin StarrCharles Edwin Hatcher , known by his stage name Edwin Starr, was an American singer and songwriter. He is best remembered for his Norman Whitfield-produced Motown singles of the 1970s, most notably the number-one hit “War”.
