Empty as wire, violent as fire

You lick her diamond and kiss her pearl
But you can't get the Belfast out of the girl
This is how you throw her, you think you know her
Empty as wire, violent as fire

Make up your mind as she makes up her face
She'll never really know her place
You'll lay on her frame and give her a new name
And bless her with all you can spare
Empty as wire, violent as fire
You'll carve her out of thin air

She's crashed home and cruised your world
But you can't get the Belfast out of the girl
This is how you throw her, you think you know her
Empty as wire, violent as fire

She hasn't left you yet but she will
By airplane ticket or kill-me pills
Sewn into her dress, she can't refuse
(careful what you love, what you abuse)
She knows violence, she knows please
Her hands for cuffing and she says nothing
And hooks her hands behind her knees

You fuck her flag and feel it unfurl
But you can't get the Belfast out of the girl.

Twist her arm til she's cries uncle
Crawling through your bedroom jungle
Turn off the light, time to succeed
She's China glass, there to bleed
Her lovely throat, her lovely cough,
White eyes are smoking, black sea is broken,
She's already destroyed, just finish her off

Hold down her hand and see it curl
But you can't get the Belfast out of the girl


Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings

Belfast Lyrics as written by Nicole Blackman Anton Fier

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Belfast song meanings
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