WATCH: U2 Performs Adaptation of ‘Pride’ in Tribute to Israeli Victims
AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg
Irish band U2 performed an adaptation of their 1984 rock anthem Pride to honor the victims of the brutal terrorist attacks perpetrated in Israel over the weekend in Las Vegas on Sunday night.
“In the light of what’s happened in Israel and Gaza, a song about non-violence seems somewhat ridiculous, even laughable,” began lead singer Bono while introducing the modified version of the song, which was originally written about American civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. “But our prayers have always been for peace and for non-violence.”
“But our hearts,” he continued, “and our anger — you know where that’s pointed. So sing with us and those beautiful kids at that music festival.”
In the light of what’s happened in Israel and Gaza, a song about non-violence seems somewhat ridiculous, even laughable, but our prayers have always been for peace and for non-violence…
But our hearts and our anger, you know where that’s pointed. So sing with us… and those… pic.twitter.com/S1zfCMNtzz
— U2 (@U2) October 9, 2023
He then revealed the adapted third verse:
Early morning, October seven
As the sun is rising in the desert sky
Stars of David, they took your life
But they could not take your pride
Could not take your pride
Could not take your pride
Could not take your- In the name of love!
The original version reads:
Early morning, April four
Shot rings out in the Memphis sky
Free at last, they took your life
They could not take your pride
At least 260 were killed at the Nova music festival in southern Israel on Saturday, where terrorists kidnapped, raped, and murdered attendees were horrified.
U2 has long been known for their social activism, a practice they’ve carried into the twilight of their careers.
Last year, Bono and guitarist The Edge performed in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“The people in Ukraine are not just fighting for your own freedom, you are fighting for all of us who love freedom,” declared the frontman at the time. “We pray that you will enjoy some of that peace soon.”
