I lived my life in Belfast town and oft times I've asked why
That evil men and orders were allowed to bleed us dry,
Born in a dirty tenement in a district falling down,
And I tell you, John, I've often longed till I leave Belfast town.

Belfast's a northern city, where decent men are few,
Where drums and flags have hid the eyes of working men, it's true,
Where democracy means hypocrisy and corruption does abound,
And I tell you, John, I've often longed till I leave Belfast town.

Ah, well now, John, you've been and gone all round this world to see,
And have you found a country where a poor man might be free?
Where there are no greedy landlords or forces of the Crown,
Oh, tell me John and I'll be gone far from old Belfast town.

They have the minds with poison and I fear it is too late,
To wash those walls of hatred and the words that speak of hate,
All freedom has been banished now and honest men put down,
And I tell you, John, I've oft times longed till I leave Belfast town.

There's barricades and burning now and gun walk the street,
There's CS gas from England, that the hungry kids can eat,
Our town's an old sand castle now and the waves begin to pound,
And I tell you, John, I've often longed till I leave Belfast town.