Belfast
Boney M. Lyrics

Belfast
The name of the city that the song is about.

Belfast
Repeating the name of the city to emphasize its significance.

Belfast
Continuing to emphasize the name of the city.

Got to have a believin'
Necessary to have hope.

Got to have a believin'
Repeating the importance of hope.

Got to have a believin'
Continuing to stress the necessity of hope.

All the people
Referring to the citizens of Belfast.

'Cause the people are leavin'
People are leaving the city because they lack hope.

When the people believin'
If the citizens have hope.

When the people believin'
Continuing the idea that hope can stop people from leaving.

When the people believin'
Emphasizing the importance of hope to prevent depopulation.

All the children cause the children
Including the youth of Belfast.

Are leavin'
Also leaving the city due to hopelessness and despair.

When the country rings the leaving bell you're lost
If the country is losing its population, it's in trouble.

Belfast
Repeating the city's name to bring attention to the crisis.

Belfast
Continuing to draw attention to the dire situation.

When the hate you have
Referring to the animosity between different groups in Belfast.

For one another's past
Harboring resentment about each others' history and background.

You can try (You can try)
Encouraging the listener to attempt to resolve the conflict.

You can try (You can try)
Repeating the call to action.

You can try
Continuing to encourage the listener to strive for peace.

To tell the world the reason why
To explain the root cause of the conflict and bring awareness.

Belfast
Drawing attention back to the city.

Belfast
Emphasizing again the importance of resolving the conflict.

Belfast
Continuing to highlight the crisis in the city.

It's the country that's changin'
Referring to the social and political changes taking place in the country.

Oh, it's the country that's changin'
Emphasizing the rapid changes happening in the country.

It's the country that's changin'
Continuing to stress the importance of the changing environment.

It's the world that's deceivin'
The outside world is not aware of the problems that are happening in Belfast.

It's the world that's deceivin'
Continuing to blame the lack of awareness on the outside world.

It's the world that's deceivin'
Emphasizing the importance of spreading awareness.

All the people
Referring to the citizens of the city once again.

'Cause the people are leavin'
Emphasizing the importance of hope to keep people from leaving the city.

Belfast
Reiterating the focus of the song.

Belfast
Drawing attention to the crisis once again.

When the children believin'
If the young people have hope.

When the children believin'
Reiterating the importance of hope for the youth of Belfast.

When the children believin'
Continuing to emphasize the significance of hope in preventing depopulation.

All the people
Referring to the citizens of Belfast one last time.

'Cause the people are leavin'
Final reminder of the importance of hope to prevent emigration.

When the people are leavin' (you)
If people continue to leave the city.

When the people are leavin'
Reiterating the threat of depopulation to Belfast.

When the people are leavin'
Final call to keep people in the city by instilling hope.

All the children
Referring to the youth of Belfast one last time.

'Cause the children believin'
Final reminder of the importance of hope for the youth to stay put in the city.

Belfast
Final reiteration of the focus of the song.

Belfast
Final emphasis on the crisis in the city.

Belfast
Final call to action to bring awareness to the situation.

Belfast
Final emphasis on the name of the city and the need to address the issues there.