Belfast Child
Belfast Child: A Melodic Tale of Resilience and Homecoming
Lyrics
When my love said to me
Expressing a moment when the speaker's love communicates with them.
Meet me down by the gallow tree
Suggesting a meeting place, the "gallow tree," indicating a somber or serious discussion.
For it?s sad news I bring
Introducing sad news about the state of the town and its offerings.
About this old town and all that it?s offering
Reflecting on the challenges and limitations of the old town.
Some say troubles abound
Indicating that some people believe troubles are widespread.
Some day soon they're gonna pull the old town down
Anticipating the impending demolition of the old town.
One day we'll return here,
Expressing hope for a future return to the town.
When the Belfast child sings again
Looking forward to a positive change symbolized by the Belfast child singing again.
Brothers sisters where are you now
Addressing brothers and sisters, seeking their current whereabouts.
As I look for you right through the crowd
Searching for familiar faces in a crowd.
All my life here I've spent
Reflecting on a lifetime spent with faith in God, the church, and the government.
With my faith in God the church and the government
Expressing sadness and concern about the prevailing situation.
But there's sadness abound
Reiterating the anticipation of the old town's demolition.
Some day soon they're gonna pull the old town down
Reaffirming the inevitability of the old town being pulled down.
One day we'll return here,
Repeating the hope for a future return to the town.
When the Belfast child sings again
Reiterating the anticipation of positive change when the Belfast child sings again.
When the Belfast child sings again
Emphasizing the desire for the Belfast child to sing again.
Some come back billy, won't you come on home
Calling for the return of individuals named Billy and Mary to their home in Belfast.
Come back Mary, you've been away so long
Expressing the longing for Mary's return after a prolonged absence.
The streets are empty, and your mother's gone
Describing the emptiness of the streets and the absence of the speaker's mother.
The girls are crying, it's been oh so long
Highlighting the emotional impact on the girls due to a prolonged separation.
And your father's calling, come on home
Indicating the father's call for someone to come home.
won't you come on home, won't you come on home
Repeating the call for someone to come home.
Come back people, you've been gone a while
Addressing people who have been away for a while, urging their return.
And the war is raging, in the emerald isle
Highlighting the ongoing war in the Emerald Isle.
that's flesh and blood man, that's flesh and blood
Emphasizing the human cost of the conflict, referring to "flesh and blood."
All the girls are crying but all's not lost
Noting the emotional impact on the girls despite the losses.
The streets are empty, the streets are cold
Describing the desolate and cold streets, echoing the call to come home.
won't you come on home, won't you come on home
Repeating the call for a return home.
The streets are empty
Reiterating the emptiness of the streets, acknowledging that life goes on.
Life goes on
Philosophically acknowledging the continuation of life despite challenges.
One day we'll return here
Repeating the hope for a future return to the town.
When the Belfast child sings again
Reiterating the anticipation of positive change when the Belfast child sings again.
When the Belfast child sings again
Emphasizing the desire for the Belfast child to sing again.
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