Portside

Original 1969 video of Edwin Starr singing 'War.' (First performed by The Temptations.)

Lyrics:

War, huh yeah

What is it good for?

Absolutely nothing, oh hoh, oh

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 off to fight and lose their lives

I said

War, huh good God y'all

What is it good for?

Absolutely nothing, just say it again

War whoa Lord

What is it good for?

Absolutely nothing, listen to me

War, it ain't nothin' but a heartbreaker

War, friend only to the undertaker

Oh 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

War, good God, y'all

What is it good for?

Absolutely nothing, say it, say it, say it

War, uh huh, yeah, huh

What is it good for?

Absolutely nothing, listen to me

War, it ain't nothin' but a heartbreaker

War, it's got one friend that's the undertaker

Oh, war has shattered many 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, ooh

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 nothin' but a heartbreaker

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

War, huh, good God y'all

What is it good for?

You tell 'em, say it, say it, say it, say it

War, good Lord, huh

What is it good for?

Stand up and shout it, nothing

War, it ain't nothin' but a heartbreaker