You were built for blessing but you only make them bleed, but you don’t care, you don’t care.
And bruises are but shadows of the blackness that you breathe but you don’t care, you don’t care.
The light that's left inside their eyes is darkened day by day but you don’t care, you don’t care.
The presence pulls the color from the world til all is grey
but you don’t care, you don’t, you don’t, you don’t.
You're less than half a man, yellow belly and crimson hands
You will one day reap your reckoning, maybe then you’ll understand.
Your hands are made to comfort but they only conjure fear
But you don’t care, you don’t care.
She’s in the closet praying Lord please get me out of here
you don’t care, you don’t you don’t you don’t.

You're less than half a man, yellow belly and crimson hands
You will one day reap your reckoning,maybe then you’ll understand.
What mercy have they known, from you, from you.
To ask that I be shown, to you , to you. X2



Lyrics submitted by mattlongo

Track duration: 03:58


Yellow Belly song meanings
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25 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I think this song simply shows the hypocrisy of humans. No christian moral...just a simple lashing out at hypocrites.
    Flag ABSpryteCubeon March 07, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:alright cool I was wondering about the meaning of this song too but my hypothesis was confirmed that it is about abusive parents. I originally thought it was just about how the world in general is such a dangerous place for children but once you get to the line about hiding in the closet it is a clear reference to a more specific situation. The most aggressive song on the album but still has great melody to go with good lyrics. This is why we like Thrice so much...love this album!
    Flag defiant1on February 19, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:@gik:
    in my opinion the phrase 'yellow belly' is used as a synonym for 'coward'

    phrases.org.uk/meanings/…

    cheers!
    Flag loswolloson January 24, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"What mercy have they known, from you, from you.
    To ask that I be shown, to you , to you."

    To me, these are by far the most haunting lyrics of the song. I think this is saying that these abused children, even though they have been shown no mercy from their father, are praying to God that He reveal Himself to their abusive father.

    This is amazing. Even though this man is evil incarnate indeed to these girls, still they pray that he come to know God.

    Doubtlessly they are praying this so they might gain relief from his abuse, it's still remarkable that they would pray this. They could easily pray for relief by asking God to destroy their father. Instead they pray that he come to know the one true God.

    The wisdom and grace of the abused girls contrasted with the hate and evil of their father is absolutely stunning.
    Flag onlibertyon September 22, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:when your liver is failing you get yellow skin
    so alcohol abuse would be my first guess
    Flag qikon September 21, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:YES!!!! So stoked our boys have hit the studio once again and have brought us something new to faun over lol :-D
    Thrice is like ear-sex.. mixed with some Mind-fuck because Dustin's always giving us complex lyrics that go sooo deep.

    Cant wait to see them when they come to Michigan this October!!!!
    Flag HaloChck88on August 09, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Jaycee Dugard anyone???
    Flag dfo222on August 01, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I agree with those on here that have said the lyrics are probably about domestic violence. I mean, the first line says "You were built for blessing but you only make them bleed." Man was made, according to the Bible, to be a blessing to both God and others. It talks about bruising, bleeding, taking joy out of life. I love that having children was such a perspective-shifting experience for Dustin. Since then we have seen songs like Daedalus, the Whaler, As the Crow Flies, and now this. He really conveys his passion for this subject in this song and always manages to show how much he loves his children. It is inspiring. I hope that someday when I have children I can let them know in meaningful ways that they are wirth more than life to me.
    Flag sabioon July 29, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:THRICE - YELLOW BELLY

    You were built for blessing,
    But you only make them bleed,
    You don’t care, you don’t care
    And bruises are but shadows
    Of the blackness that you breed,
    But you don’t care, you don’t care

    The light that's left inside their eyes
    is darkened day by day
    But you don’t care, you don’t care
    Your presence pulls the color
    From the world til all is grey
    But you don’t care, you don’t, you don’t, you don’t.

    You're less than half a man
    Yellow belly and crimson hands
    You’re the ones that reap your reckoning,
    Maybe then you’ll understand

    Hands were made to comfort
    But they only conjure fear
    But you don’t care, you don’t care
    She’s in the closet, praying “Lord, please get me out of here”
    You don’t care, you don’t you don’t you don’t

    You're less than half a man
    Yellow belly and crimson hands
    You’re the ones that reap your reckoning,
    Maybe then you’ll understand

    What mercy have they known,
    From you, from you
    To ask that it be shown,
    To you, to you

    What mercy have they known,
    From you, from you
    To ask that it be shown,
    To you, to you

    I read somewhere Dustin mentioning the lyrical themes that were going to be on this record (specifically) and they were definitely along the lines of abuse, marriage, personal and inner struggles that everyone is mentioning here. I know that is not far from being typical for Thrice lyrics. However, I think all would agree that Dustin's ability to convey such unique and deep emotions and ideas is a beautiful and poetic endeavor hardly achieved by artists today. Thrice is a different caliber of a band altogether. From their lyrics, to their music, and from album to album. There is an interview online, and I can give the link to it if anyone wants it, where Dustin mentions his approach to music and lyrics (as it pertains to his beliefs as well). He says that he writes in a way where people can kinda see two meanings behind the lyrics. For those who fall more in line with his "personal" beliefs they might interpret this way, and those who don't might interpret another way. He says his focus is to try to create the best music he can and let God do what he wills with it. His honesty is humbling.

    - Much Love!
    Flag adoptagodon July 23, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:This song seems to be about God addressing an abusive husband/father. So stoked on the new stuff now, this song is great.
    Flag HoundDogon July 22, 2011   Link

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