Belfast Child Lyrics
Meet me down by the gallow tree
For it's sad news I bring
About this old town and all that it’s offering
Some say trouble's abound
Some day soon they’re gonna pull the old town down
One day we’ll return here,
When the Belfast child sings again
As I look for you right through the crowd
All my life here I’ve spent
With my faith in God the church and the government
But there’s sadness abound
Some day soon they’re gonna pull the old town down
When the Belfast child sings again
When the Belfast child sings again
Come back mary, you’ve been away so long
The streets are empty, and your mother’s gone
The girls are crying, it’s been oh so long
And your father’s calling, come on home
Won’t you come on home, won’t you come on home
And the war is raging, in the emerald isle
That’s flesh and blood man, that’s flesh and blood
All the girls are crying but all’s not lost
Won’t you come on home, won’t you come on home
Life goes on
When the Belfast child sings again
When the Belfast child sings again
For those who don't realise, Billy is a stereotypical Protestant name in Northern Ireland, while Mary could be a Catholic. The music combines the harp and the flute, representing the blending of the two traditions. It's a plea for peace and reconciliation, not about who did what.
This song was adapted from a traditional piece of music. I don't think there's any doubt as to what it means if you are from the British Isles but I guess a lot of young people today would be unaware of the internal war within Ireland. People fighting each other over religion. It turned what was a beautiful place into a series of wastelands.
I find it to be a sad, yet uplifting song. It's a song of hope.
it's not a series of wastelands you ignorant idiot. you ever been to ireland?
it's not a series of wastelands you ignorant idiot. you ever been to ireland?
@SacrificialNewt The tune is from a traditional folk song called 'She moves through the fair'
@SacrificialNewt The tune is from a traditional folk song called 'She moves through the fair'
dont know the traditional original song, but this is a masterpiece!
the song is she moved through the fair
Best simple minds song, no doubt about it
Murdering innocents in the name of religion. That's why Billy and Mary cleared off. Unless they can't go back because they were murdered too. Snatched in front of their kids, bundled into a van and never seen again. Or maybe they just moved and got blown up in the middle of Warrington by those brave republican soldiers.
The famine is over. Why don't you go home?