Analysis Of The Universal Soldier By Buffy Sainte-Marie

‘The Universal Soldier’ by Buffy Sainte-Marie (link) is a passionate anti-war song that utilises a plethora of writing techniques to help illustrate the question: who’s really responsible for war? This song was originally released in 1963, right at the heart of the Vietnam War. This is an important detail, because it gives some background to the reason she decided to write the song at the time. I also think that she recognised that a song written by somebody who's a bit more famous is going to reach a wider group of people, and create a community where pacifists can feel comfortable sharing their controversial opinions. The aforementioned song details all of the ways a soldier can differ, and has undertones of anti-war language. This song was

In the first line of the fifth stanza, a compelling rhetorical question is at play to drive the reader to question what they already know: “But without him how would Hitler have condemned him at Dachau?” This is not only used as a persuasive technique, but to challenge the listener's thoughts on who “him” is. In the same line, jargon is utilised to add additional complexity to the overall song. Furthermore, it helps to give the song more credibility by discussing important historical figures and events. Another reason this is used is to provide a feeling of unity to the members of the audience who can relate to having feelings corresponding to pacifism. Further down in the song, another rhetorical question is made use of to encourage further reflection on the topic: “And brothers, can’t you see? This is not the way we put an end to war.” This question helps to really engrain the second sentence into the listeners mind, and helps them to reflect on their opinions and past actions. I think these writing techniques have been placed together because they build each other up, and give each sentence more

We can see this in the second stanza: “He’s a Catholic, a Hindu, an Atheist, a Jain, a Buddhist, and a Baptist and a Jew.” This use of opposing listing has been strategically placed to plant the idea of religious conflict in the listeners mind. When we read about soldiers of different religious backgrounds, an automatic thought is one of historic religious conflicts; like in Nazi Germany for example, or Catholics and Protestants in Europe in the 1500s. Throughout the song, and even in the title, a key message is that a soldier can have a variety of qualities, and beliefs, but that the composer still believes that war is never the answer to the complicated issues at play in our world. A song released two years after this one: The Universal Coward by Jan and Dean, shares remarkably similar themes and writing techniques. An example from Jan & Deans song: “He's a pacifist, an extremist, a communist or just a yank”. A demonstrator, an agitator, just a knave. A conscientious objector, fanatic, or defector. And he doesn't know he's diggin' his own grave.” This anti-protest song is a responsive attempt at ‘red-baiting’: (attempting to discredit a political opponent through harassment or persecution), which is clear through their repeated use of the same writing techniques; simply with different words used. Something to note is that these songs are actually polar opposites, while