Generally considered the second most widely known piece of traditional Northern Irish music (after Danny Boy, aka The Londonderry Air), Belle of Belfast is instantly recognized throughout the western world. In Ireland too, the song is still very popular: It can be heard as a girls skiprope song, a must in the repetoire of any self respecting youth choir, and even at football and rugby games throughout the country, where it is synonomous with support for Irish and Ulster sports teams. Politically, Belle of Belfast holds an interesting position in Northern Irish culture; During the annual marches in July (celebrating a certain battle in 1690), it is played by Protestant marching bands. In August of each year, however, Catholics perform it in a similar ceremony. Regardless of religious or political preference, you can be sure to hear it sung at local pubs throughout the country. In the last 50 years, Belle of Belfast has been covered by Van Morrison, The Chieftains, and The Cranberries. The simplicity of the tune, along with the charm of the lyrics, allows the song a level of popularity that N'Sync would kill for.
Belle of Belfast
I'll tell me ma, when I go home,
The boys won't leave the girls alone.
They pull my hair, they stole my comb,
And that's alright till I go home.
She is handsome, she is pretty,
She's the belle of Belfast city,
She is courtin', one, two, three,
Please won't you tell me who is she?
Albert Mooney says he loves her,
All the boys are fighting for her.
They rap at the door and they ring at the bell,
Saying 'Oh, my true-love are you well?'
Out she comes as white as snow,
Rings on her fingers, bells on her toes,
Old Jenny Murphy says she'll die,
If she doesn't get the fellow with the roving eye.
I'll tell me ma, when I go home,
The boys won't leave the girls alone.
They pull my hair, they stole my comb,
And that's alright till I go home.
She is handsome, she is pretty,
She's the belle of Belfast city,
She is courtin', one, two, three,
Please won't you tell me who is she?
Let the wind and the rain and the hail blow high
And the snow come tumblin' from the sky
She's as sweet as apple pie
And she'll get her own lad by and by.
When she gets a lad of her own
She won't tell her ma when she gets home
Let them all come as they will,
For it's Albert Mooney she loves still.
I'll tell me ma, when I go home,
The boys won't leave the girls alone.
They pull my hair, they stole my comb,
And that's alright till I go home.
She is handsome, she is pretty,
She's the belle of Belfast city,
She is courtin', one, two, three,
Please won't you tell me who is she?
I'll tell me ma, when I go home,
The boys won't leave the girls alone.
They pull my hair, they stole my comb,
And that's alright till I go home.
She is handsome, she is pretty,
She's the belle of Belfast city,
She is courtin', one, two, three,
Please won't you tell me who is she?
Please won't you tell me who is she?