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Belfast Lyrics
I've got a ticket,
To the fast city,
Where the bells don't really ring,
Getting off the plane the cold air,
Rushes like bullets through my brain,
And I'm divided between penguins and cats,
But it's not about what animal youüve got,
It's about being able to fly,
It's about dying nine times,
Aah [x2]
Walked on Broadway,
Going up to falls,
With the old man I used to know,
The paintings on the walls of release,
Are colourful but they are no Matisse,
And I'm divided between penguins and cats,
But it's not about what animal you've got,
It's about being able to fly,
It's about dying nine times,
Aah [x2]
It's about being able to fly,
It's about dying nine times,
Aah [x2]
To the fast city,
Where the bells don't really ring,
Getting off the plane the cold air,
Rushes like bullets through my brain,
And I'm divided between penguins and cats,
But it's not about what animal youüve got,
It's about being able to fly,
It's about dying nine times,
Aah [x2]
Going up to falls,
With the old man I used to know,
The paintings on the walls of release,
Are colourful but they are no Matisse,
And I'm divided between penguins and cats,
But it's not about what animal you've got,
It's about being able to fly,
It's about dying nine times,
Aah [x2]
It's about dying nine times,
Aah [x2]
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As Katie has mentioned a few times, this is about Belfast and her experiences of it when she lived there. Penguins are the Protestants and the cats are the Catholics.
Unless Katie's just a bit batty, and she confuses people with animals.
Well, everybody knows that Northern Ireland is a large zoo. The Penguins and Cats are literal references.
In all, though, a work of staggering genius.
This song was written by Katie, when she attended the Brit School. It show a maturity far beyond her years. A truly remarkable work for one so tender in years.
this song to me means being able to chase your dreams no matter what background you have or where you live. this is my favourite song off the album
My favorite song from her first album. It doesnt make much sense unless you know about the problems they have in Northern Ireland to do with religion. I think the song sends out a good message.
the best song off the album, all lyrical legends write their best work in riddles
The chorus of this song is so pretty. "It's about being able to fly, it's about dying nine times"
Her voice during that part makes me fly and die nine times at the same time... Great song.
I like the way that she uses the animals as a methaphor for such a serious issue. First she arives in the city and finds that it aint all sunshine. She tells this by showing some nice lyricisme. Playing around with "fast" in one line and then with "bells" in the other. The bells don't really ring. Then the cold air.. And the chorus:
And I'm divided between penguins and cats, But it's not about what animal youüve got, It's about being able to fly, It's about dying nine times,
"Being able to fly" is an abillity she ascribes to the penguins and "dying nine times" an abillity of the cats. But neither of both really has this abillity. So I think it means you should chase youre dreams and try to do impossible things, instead of being in each others way. With the second verse, the "broadway" bit, she shows it is not a local religious thing she is singing about. It is means much more. Everywhere in the world you should try to become the best you can as a human being.
I love this song. I visited Belfast recently, so I know what she means about the paintings on the walls (political murals). The chorus is a bit strange, but in a sense I know what she means with out really knowing! Broadway is a street in Belfast that leads into Falls Road. (Nothing to do with Broadway in New York.)