1. The Gladiators are a Jamaican roots reggae band, most popular during the… Read Full Bio ↴1. The Gladiators are a Jamaican roots reggae band, most popular during the 1970s. The core was Albert Griffiths (guitarist and singer), Clinton Fearon (bassist and singer) and Gallimore Sutherland rhythm guitar and singer. The two most famous albums are Trenchtown Mix Up (1976) and Proverbial Reggae (1978) with songs as "Hearsay", "Jah Works", "Dreadlocks the Time is Now". "Mix Up", "Music Makers from Jamaica", and "Soul Rebel" – a song written by The Wailers.

Formed
1967, Kingston, Jamaica
Members
Albert Griffiths, Errol Grandison (1967-73), David Webber (1967-69), Clinton Fearon (1969-87), Gallimore Sutherland (died in January 2017)

2. Gladiators is progressive metalcore band from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA. Lancaster is a cultural hub located amongst five major U.S. cities known for bringing audiences together in the vibrant music scene exclusive to the region. GLADIATORS work tirelessly to set themselves apart and establish a new frontier in the genre of metal. They bring a fresh perspective and direction to a scene that has developed a specific sound.

Members
Michael Hart (vocals), Josh Krantz (guitar), Caleb Stoltzfus (drums), Bernard Stabley (bass)

Bellyfull
The Gladiators Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh oh oh, a ya-so it a go dey

A when the rice won't swell
Man belly nah go full
A when the rice won't swell
Man belly nah go full

The fire red hot

No water's there to out it

It a go be a bangarang (it's gonna be a bangarang)
In this hawk and patou race (it's gonna be a big race)
Some going too fast while some won't go (some won't go)
So in de final it a go bring a confusion

Then ev'ryone will see who a de Gorgon
An' ev'ryone will see who a de hero
For when the rice won't swell
Man belly nah go full

And when belly nah full
A ya-so it a go dey

Overall Meaning

The Gladiators' "Bellyfull" is a reggae track that tackles the issue of poverty and hunger. The song describes how hungry individuals in Jamaica are unable to satisfy their hunger due to the lack of food. The first verse states that when the rice won't swell, a person's belly won't be full. The second verse continues to talk about the struggle of obtaining basic necessities such as water. The lyrics say that the fire is red hot, and there is no water to put it out, indicating the difficulty of putting out a fire without adequate resources. The final verse talks about how in a race, some individuals may go too fast, while others may not go at all, resulting in confusion during the final stretch. The lyrics state that in the end, everyone will see who the true hero is and who the real villain, or Gorgon, is.

The song was released in 1976, during a time in Jamaica when unemployment and poverty were rampant. The Gladiators used the song as a means of bringing attention to the issue and the struggles that individuals faced daily. Bellyfull has become an anthem for the masses and is popular for its themes of resistance and revolution. It is often played during protests and rallies against social injustice in Jamaica, and the lyrics continue to resonate with individuals worldwide.

Overall, the song Bellyfull by The Gladiators is a call to action for social change and equity. It highlights the struggles that poverty-stricken individuals face every day, and through its lyrics, it motivates individuals to stand up for themselves and those around them. The song remains relevant even today, with ongoing social and political issues across the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh oh oh, a ya-so it a go dey
This is how things are going to be

A when the rice won't swell
When things don't work out as intended

Man belly nah go full
People won't be satisfied

The fire red hot
The situation is intense

No water's there to out it
There's no way to calm things down

It a go be a bangarang (it's gonna be a bangarang)
There's going to be chaos

In this hawk and patou race (it's gonna be a big race)
In this competition, some will go too fast and some won't go at all

Some going too fast while some won't go (some won't go)
Some people will be too eager while others won't even try

So in de final it a go bring a confusion
In the end, there will be confusion

Then ev'ryone will see who a de Gorgon
These circumstances will show who the powerful and dangerous people are

An' ev'ryone will see who a de hero
And these circumstances will reveal who the heroes are