U2 updates classic song ‘Pride’ in wake of Israel attack

U2 is changing the lyrics of their classic hit “Pride (in the Name of Love)” to honor the victims of an attack at a music festival in Israel.

“In the light of what’s happened in Israel and Gaza, a song about nonviolence seems somewhat ridiculous, even laughable,” lead singer Bono said in a video posted Monday on the band’s social media accounts.

“But our prayers have always been for peace and for nonviolence,” the “With or Without You” singer said in the clip from the group’s Sunday performance as part of its Sphere residency in Las Vegas.

Hamas militants reportedly killed at least 260 people at the Tribe of Nova music festival in southern Israel, near the Gaza border, Saturday.

“Our hearts and our anger, you know where that’s pointed,” Bono said from the stage.

“So sing with us, and those beautiful kids at that music festival,” Bono, who was born Paul Hewson, instructed the crowd, before singing “Pride (in the Name of Love)” with updated lyrics.

“Early morning, October 7, the sun is rising in the desert sky,” Bono sang. “Stars of David, they took your life, but they could not take your pride,” he belted out.

Originally released in 1984, the song was penned by the Irish rock band as a tribute to civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr.

“We sing for our brothers and sisters, who they themselves were singing at the Supernova Sukkot festival in Israel,” Bono told the audience.

The victims, the 63-year-old performer and humanitarian said, were “our kind of people.”

“Music people, playful, experimental people,” he said.

“Our kind of people,” he repeated. “We sing for them.”

It’s not the first time that the band has altered the words to the tune amid tragic events. In 2015, Bono included a reference to 3-year-old refugee Aylan Kurdi, who drowned while attempted to flee from Syria to Europe, while performing the song.

The Hill

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