Belfast – English Lyrics

• By: Boney M.

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the story behind Boney M's hit song "Belfast," a unique blend of disco and protest that sheds light on the turbulent times in Northern Ireland. Learn about the historical context, the song's message of hope, and the cultural impact it had, offering a deeper understanding of the region's struggles and the power of music to transcend political boundaries.

[English]

Belfast

Belfast

Belfast

Got to have a belief in

Got to have a belief in

Got to have a belief in all the people

'Cause the people are leavin'

When the people believe in

When the people believe in

When the people believe in all the children

'Cause the children are leavin'

Belfast

Belfast

When the country rings the leaving bell you're lost

Belfast

Belfast

When the hate you have

For one another's past

You can try (You can try)

You can try (You can try)

You can try

To tell the world the reason why

Belfast

Belfast

Belfast

It's a country that's changin'

Oh, it's a country that's changin'

It's a country that's changin' all the people

'Cause the people are leavin'

It's the world that's deceivin'

Oh it's the world that's deceivin'

It's the world that's deceivin' all the people

'Cause the people believe in

Belfast

Belfast

When the country rings the leaving bell you're lost

Belfast

Belfast

When the hate you have

For one another's past

You can try (You can try)

You can try (You can try)

You can try

To tell the world the reason why

Belfast

Belfast

Belfast

When the children believe in

When the children believe in

When the children believe in all the people

'Cause the people are leavin'

When the people are leavin' you

When the people are leavin'

When the people are leavin' all the children

'Cause the children believe in

Belfast

Belfast

When the country rings the leaving bell you're lost

Belfast

Belfast

When the hate you have

For one another's past

You can try (You can try)

You can try (You can try)

You can try

To tell the world the reason why

Belfast

Belfast

Belfast

Belfast

Belfast

Belfast

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
believe /bɪˈliːv/ B1	verb - to accept something as true
people /ˈpiːpəl/ A1	noun - human beings in general or considered collectively
country /ˈkʌntri/ A2	noun - a nation with its own government, occupying a particular territory
leaving /ˈliːvɪŋ/ B1	verb - to go away from a place
hate /heɪt/ B1	verb - to feel intense or passionate dislike for someone or something
reason /ˈriːzən/ B2	noun - a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event
world /wɜːrld/ A1	noun - the earth, together with all of its countries and peoples
child /tʃaɪld/ A1	noun - a young human being below the age of puberty
try /traɪ/ A2	verb - to make an attempt or effort to do something
changin' /ˈʧeɪndʒɪn/ B2	verb - to make or become different
lost /lɔːst/ B1	adjective - unable to find one's way; not knowing one's whereabouts

Key Grammar Structures

• Got to have a belief in all the people

  ➔ Modal verb 'got to' (informal for 'have to') indicating necessity or obligation.

  ➔ 'Got to' expresses **necessity** or **obligation** in informal speech.

• When the country rings the leaving bell you're lost

  ➔ Present simple tense used after 'when' to indicate a habitual or general condition.

  ➔ 'When' introduces a **conditional clause** referring to a **general truth** or **habitual event**.

• You can try

  ➔ Modal verb 'can' used to express **possibility** or **ability**.

  ➔ 'Can' indicates **ability** or **possibility** to do something.

• To tell the world the reason why

  ➔ Infinitive phrase 'to tell' used to express purpose or intention.

  ➔ 'To tell' functions as an **infinitive of purpose**, explaining why something is done.