Simple Minds have achieved 24 top 40 singles on the UK Singles Chart, including eight top 10 and one number one, and 26 albums on the UK Albums Chart, including 22 top 40 albums, 12 top 10 albums and five number one albums: Sparkle in the Rain (1984), Once Upon a Time (1985), Live in the City of Light (1987), Street Fighting Years (1989), and Glittering Prize 81/92 (1992). They have sold more than 60 million albums worldwide, and were the most commercially successful Scottish band of the 1980s. Simple Minds have also achieved considerable chart success in the United States, Australia, Germany, Spain, Italy and New Zealand. Despite various personnel changes, they continue to record and tour.
In 2014, Simple Minds were awarded the Q Inspiration Award for their contribution to the music industry and an Ivor Novello Award in 2016 for Outstanding Song Collection from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors (BASCA). Other notable recognitions include nominations for both the MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction and MTV Video Music Award for Best Art Direction for "Don't You (Forget About Me)" in 1985, nomination for the Brit Award for British Group in 1986 and for the American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group in 1987. "Belfast Child" was nominated for the Song of the Year at the Brit Awards 1990.
The nucleus of Simple Minds consists of the two remaining original members, Jim Kerr (vocals) and Charlie Burchill (electric and acoustic guitars, occasional keyboards after 1990, saxophone and violin). The other current band members are Ged Grimes (bass guitar), Cherisse Osei (drums), Sarah Brown (backing vocals), Gordy Goudie (additional guitar and keyboards) and Berenice Scott (keyboards). Notable former members include Mick MacNeil (keyboards), Derek Forbes (bass guitar), Brian McGee and Mel Gaynor (drums).
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_Minds
Discography
Life in a Day (1979)
Real to Real Cacophony (1979)
Empires and Dance (1980)
Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call (1981)
New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) (1982)
Sparkle in the Rain (1984)
Once Upon a Time (1985)
Street Fighting Years (1989)
Real Life (1991)
Good News from the Next World (1995)
Néapolis (1998)
Our Secrets Are the Same (1999/2004)
Neon Lights (2001)
Cry (2002)
Black & White 050505 (2005)
Graffiti Soul (2009)
Big Music (2014)
Acoustic (2016)
Walk Between Worlds (2018)
Direction of the Heart (2022)
Belfast Child
Simple Minds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Meet me down by the gallow tree
For it's sad news I bring
About this old town and all that it's offering
Some say troubles abound
Some day soon they're gonna pull the old town down
One day we'll return here,
When the belfast child sings again
Brothers sisters where are you now
As I look for you right through the crowd
All my life here I've spent
With my faith in God the church and the government
But there's sadness abound
Some day soon they're gonna pull the old town down
One day we'll return here,
When the belfast child sings again
When the belfast child sings again
Some come back billy, won't you come on home
Come back mary, you've been away so long
The streets are empty, and your mother's gone
The girls are crying, it's been oh so long
And your father's calling, come on home
Won't you come on home, won't you come on home
Come back people, you've been gone a while
And the war is raging, in the emerald isle
That's flesh and blood man, that's flesh and blood
All the girls are crying but all's not lost
The streets are empty, the streets are cold
Won't you come on home, won't you come on home
The streets are empty
Life goes on
One day we'll return here
When the belfast child sings again
When the belfast child sings again
The song “Belfast Child” by Simple Minds is a testament to the troubles that were prevalent in Northern Ireland during the 1970s and 1980s. The lyrics tell the story of a man who is heartbroken over the state of his hometown and how it has been ravaged by war and political turmoil. The opening lines of the song immediately set the tone of melancholy and despair as the love of the singer asks him to meet her by the gallow tree and brings him the sad news about the old town. The singer reminisces about his faith in God, the government, and the church, and how they have not been able to alleviate the isolation and vulnerability that he feels.
The second half of the song is a cry out for the return of loved ones who have been missing or gone for an extended period. There's a sense of urgency in the message, as the streets are empty, the girls are crying, and the war is raging in the “emerald isle.” Lastly, the song ends on a hopeful note, with the chorus singing, “One day we'll return here when the Belfast child sings again,” imbuing listeners with hope for reconciliation and peace in Northern Ireland.
Line by Line Meaning
When my love said to me
When the singer's lover told them to meet by the gallow tree.
Meet me down by the gallow tree
Meet me by the place where people are hanged until dead by the neck for their crimes.
For it's sad news I bring
The singer's lover brings them disturbing news.
About this old town and all that it's offering
The artist's lover tells them about the state of the town and all its offerings.
Some say troubles abound
Some people say that there are troubles and problems in the town.
Some day soon they're gonna pull the old town down
The town is going to be destroyed soon.
One day we'll return here,
Someday they will come back to the town.
When the belfast child sings again
When there is hope and renewal in the town.
Brothers sisters where are you now
The artist is asking where their brothers and sisters are.
As I look for you right through the crowd
The artist is searching for their siblings in a group of people.
All my life here I've spent
The singer has spent their entire life in the town.
With my faith in God the church and the government
The artist has always had faith in God, the church, and the government.
But there's sadness abound
There is a lot of sadness present in the town.
One day we'll return here,
Someday they will come back to the town.
When the belfast child sings again
When there is hope and renewal in the town.
Some come back billy, won't you come on home
The artist is calling out for Billy to return home.
Come back mary, you've been away so long
The artist is calling out for Mary to return home.
The streets are empty, and your mother's gone
The streets are empty and Mary's mother is no longer there.
The girls are crying, it's been oh so long
The girls are crying because it has been a long time since Mary has been home.
And your father's calling, come on home
Mary's father wants her to come home.
Won't you come on home, won't you come on home
The artist is urging Mary to come home.
Come back people, you've been gone a while
The artist is calling out for people who have been away for a while to come back.
And the war is raging, in the emerald isle
There is a war happening in Ireland.
That's flesh and blood man, that's flesh and blood
The people fighting in the war are human beings.
All the girls are crying but all's not lost
The girls are sad, but there is still hope.
The streets are empty, the streets are cold
The streets are barren and devoid of life.
Won't you come on home, won't you come on home
The singer is urging people to come back home.
The streets are empty
The streets are barren and devoid of life.
Life goes on
Life continues despite the emptiness of the streets.
One day we'll return here
Someday they will come back to the town.
When the belfast child sings again
When there is hope and renewal in the town.
When the belfast child sings again
When there is hope and renewal in the town.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Charles Burchill, James Kerr, Michael Joseph Macneil
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@grahamparkyn1590
When my love said to me
Meet me down by the gallow tree
For it's sad news I bring
About this old town and all that it's offering
Some say troubles abound
Some day soon they're gonna pull the old town down
One day we'll return here
When the Belfast Child sings again
Brothers, sisters, where are you now?
As I look for you right through the crowd
All my life here I've spent
With my faith in God the Church and the Government
But there's sadness abound
Some day soon they're gonna pull the old town down
One day we'll return here
When the Belfast Child sings again
When the Belfast Child sings again
So come back Billy, won't you come on home?
Come back Mary, you've been away so long
The streets are empty, and your mother's gone
The girls are crying, it's been oh so long
And your father's calling, come on home
Won't you come on home, won't you come on home?
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Come back people, you've been gone a while
And the war is raging, through the Emerald Isle
That's flesh and blood man, that's flesh and blood
All the girls are crying but all's not lost
The streets are empty, the streets are cold
Won't you come on home, won't you come on home?
The streets are empty
Life goes on
One day we'll return here
When the Belfast Child sings again
When the Belfast Child sings again
@benreadspoetry7958
If you ever wanted an example of how music can paint lucid, powerful images in your mind, and make you feel as if you're actually there, it's this song. 34 years on, it remains an absolute masterpiece.
@DrewJPS
Belfast here. Correct.
@lynnynmick.1243
We are all here...
@gruntymchunchy1527
It pierces the heart,
Does the Belfast child sing again?
I think they do, at least I hope they do.
@ancientanomalies
Absolutely
@michaelmarusczak3223
I'am french ,i don't speak english, but ,i understand what you mean....also ,that the spirit in my mind ,in your mind....always ...in a stadium,"you Nevers walk alone" , ........sorry ,i'am just a little french....my heart is loving for you....follow you...sorry ,i'am stupid,i'am french....
@user-cr2nt2cb9c
A song that has touched the hearts and minds of both sides of the political divide now as one - such a powerful masterpiece, Simple minds are simply the best ❤
@SriUtami-sg8hz
This song has " a soul " and it touches my heart so deep that I get goosebumps every time I listen to it. ❤❤❤❤❤
@hausler21
I get goosebumps as well...one of my favourite songs
@rachelharding751
Especially when the drums come in.