“War” was adapted from a speech by Haile Selassie.
The song appeared on Rastaman Vibration, released by Bob Marley and the Wailers in 1976. Its lyrics draw on a 1963 address by Haile Selassie, the emperor of Ethiopia, delivered to the United Nations in New York.
The composition condemns racial discrimination and argues that peace cannot exist while people are judged by skin color or ethnic background. Marley’s version transformed the speech’s language into a concise roots-reggae protest song.
Although Marley recorded and popularized “War,” the song’s credited writers include Allen Cole and Carlton Barrett, with Marley associated with its adaptation and performance. This is why sources may describe the song as Marley’s while listing additional songwriting credits.