Bellyfull
the Gladiators Lyrics


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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


For when the rice won't swell
When things go wrong


Man belly nah go full
People won't be satisfied


And when belly nah full
And when people are not satisfied


A ya-so it a go dey
This is how things will be




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GRIFFITHS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@jenniferyanez455

Woah, whoah, whoah! 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
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 everyone will see, who a de Gorgon
An' everyone 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

Woah, whoah, whoah! A ya-so it a go dey

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 when some won't go (some won't go)
So in de final, it a go bring a confusion

Then everyone will see, who a de Gorgon
An' everyone 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

Woah, whoah, whoah! A ya-so it a go dey
Woah, whoah, whoah! A ya-so it a go dey

A when the rice won't swell
Man belly nah go full
And when belly nah full
A ya-so it a go dey

A when the rice won't swell
Man belly nah go full
And when belly nah full
A ya-so it a go dey..



@ronaldocesarsales4038

Letra sobrescrita nessa música

Ououou...
E está é pra você!!!
E pra eu renascer
Eu tive que ir muito fundo
E pra eu renascer
Eu tive que ir muito fundo
Não pude falhar
Não te decepcionou
Não pude falhar
Não te decepcionou
E até aqui
Foi de Apavorar
Em tempestades
Uma "pá" de vez
Banho de chuva
E Sol "mongol"
E no final
Não houve nem uma connnfusão
Permaneci a caminhar
No ar de quem se livrou
Pra renascer
Tive que ir muito fundo
Pra ir muito fundo
E essa é pra você !!

Ouououo...
E está e pra você!!

E até aqui
Foi de apavorar
Em tempestades Uma "pá" de vez

Banho de chuva
E o Sol "mongol"
E no final
Não houve nem connnfusão
Permaneci a caminhar
No ar de quem se livrou
Pra renascer
Tive que ir muito fundo
Pra ir no fundo
E essa é pra você !!!

Uououo...
E essa é pra você !!!



All comments from YouTube:

@edinhomira8547

Karamba sou de São José do Rio Preto-SP,e já cuti esse som em canoa quebrada-Ceará no bar do reggae ,top muita saudades

@lucienmetz7701

le bonheur ce son
MERCI !

@marcosgabriel9101

Alguém de Fortaleza ouvindo essa pedra?

@amanndaslz4330

Ninguém

@marcosgabriel9101

​@@amanndaslz4330tenho certeza que você é de Fortal

@rogeriodealmeida6662

É nois, macho! ❤

@ahronn83

pure Roots reggae music !!! burning a Big splif in the mornin' From NewCaledonia "KANAKY" ✊🏾😎🇳🇨💯🔥

@bobdg5378

Bota u capacete q tá chovendo pedras Bob f.DG Ceará curtindo só as melhores...

@richardsonribeiro770

bota o capacete que lá vai meu CACETE !!!!

@alissonlima2026

Quem tem teto de vidro, cuidado que vai pedras ✌️🇫🇷

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