Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)

The lyrics contrast people who have enough to eat with people who remain hungry, even when food is being prepared. They also describe the rising cost of living and hardship shared by both rich and poor. Against this frustration, the repeated invitation to dance offers a lively release: music can help people set aside, at least briefly, their troubles, sorrow, sickness, and weakness.

The image of rain falling on “tough” dirt suggests that having rain does not guarantee a good harvest; resources may exist, yet fail to meet people’s needs. Likewise, a pot may be cooking while there is still not enough food. The phrase “a hungry mob is an angry mob” links deprivation with social anger, warning that hunger affects more than individuals. Dancing to “Jah music” can be understood as finding comfort or strength through music and faith.

The song holds protest and celebration together rather than choosing only one mood. Dancing does not appear to solve poverty or hunger, and the repeated complaints keep those problems firmly in view. It may instead offer a shared way to endure hardship and affirm resilience. The lyrics do not explain exactly who is responsible for the unequal situation, so the focus remains on the contrast between abundance and need, and on the emotional response it creates.