Rend Collective - Christmas In Belfast (Slainte!) Lyrics
Lyrics
Slà inte it's Christmas in Belfast tonight
Fill the pub with God's praise under tinsel and lights
All the hymns are great craic when you're swinging a pint
There's no place on earth that's as merry and bright
Slà inte it's Christmas in Belfast tonight
Hey!
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
Raise your voice
Raise your glass
Our troubles are over at last
Christ is born, a new story's ours to tell
All is calm
All is bright
By the glow of this warm fireside
Come on in, we are kin folk after all
Slà inte it's Christmas in Belfast tonight
Fill the pub with God's praise under tinsel and lights
All the hymns are great craic when you're swinging a pint
There's no place on earth that's as merry and bright
Slà inte it's Christmas in Belfast tonight
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
Leave the past, in the past
Go tell it on the mountaintops, lads
Christ is born, a new story's ours to tell
Slà inte it's Christmas in Belfast tonight
Fill the pub with God's praise under tinsel and lights
All the hymns are great craic when you're swinging a pint
There's no place on earth that's as merry and bright
Slà inte it's Christmas in Belfast tonight
We're arm in arm together
There's no stranger here tonight
Our differences don't matter
Come on, sing 'til morning light
We're arm in arm together
There's no stranger here tonight
Our differences don't matter
Come on, sing 'til morning light
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
Slà inte it's Christmas in Belfast tonight
Fill the pub with God's praise under tinsel and lights
All the hymns are great craic when you're swinging a pint
Merry Christmas!
There's no place on earth that's as merry and bright
Slà inte it's Christmas in Belfast tonight
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
Video
Rend Collective - Christmas in Belfast (Sláinte!) (Official Lyric Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Rend Collective's "Christmas In Belfast (Sláinte!)" emerges as a vibrant, foot-stomping declaration, inviting everyone to rediscover the profound joy and peace at the heart of the Christmas season. This track, infused with the band's signature Celtic folk worship, is more than just a festive song; it’s a powerful anthem of reconciliation and hope, set against the deeply meaningful context of Belfast, a city that uniquely embodies both past strife and the potential for enduring unity.
At its core, the song paints a picture of Christmas Eve where the traditional pub setting becomes an unexpected sanctuary. The opening lines, "Sláinte it's Christmas in Belfast tonight, Fill the pub with God's praise under tinsel and lights," immediately challenge conventional notions of worship. "Sláinte," a Gaelic toast meaning "health," serves as a convivial welcome, signifying an open invitation to celebrate. This isn't about bringing God *into* a secular space as much as it is about recognizing that God's presence isn't confined to church walls. Scripture reminds us that the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands (Acts 17:24), and that His glory fills the whole earth (Isaiah 6:3). The image of hymns mingled with the clinking of glasses and the atmosphere of a local gathering speaks to a faith that permeates daily life, celebrating the divine amidst the ordinary. This is a profound call to worship that embraces culture, acknowledging that genuine joy and praise can erupt wherever people gather in His name, regardless of the setting.
The exuberant declaration that "Our troubles are over at last, Christ is born, a new story's ours to tell" is particularly resonant given Belfast's history. It’s a profound testament to the transformative power of the Gospel, offering a vision where past conflicts and divisions are truly laid to rest. The arrival of Christ isn't just a historical event; it’s the advent of a new narrative for humanity, a story of redemption and hope that liberates us from the burdens of yesterday. This mirrors the biblical promise that "if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). The song extends this radical hope to individuals and communities alike, proposing that through Christ, peace – a peace that transcends understanding (Philippians 4:7) – can truly settle upon fractured hearts and historical divides.
This message of unity is beautifully amplified by the lyrics "Come on in, we are kin folk after all" and "Our differences don't matter." It’s an embrace of true Christian hospitality, extending beyond mere politeness to a radical inclusion where every person is welcomed as family. In a context like Belfast, where historical and sectarian lines once ran deep, this sentiment takes on immense spiritual weight. It echoes the apostle Paul's teaching that in Christ, there is "neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28). The birth of Christ breaks down the dividing walls of hostility (Ephesians 2:14), inviting everyone into a shared identity and belonging in God's family. The call to "Leave the past, in the past" isn't a dismissal of history, but a Christ-centered command to embrace forgiveness and move forward, remembering that while we were once alienated, we are now brought near through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13).
The repeated refrain "There's no place on earth that's as merry and bright" isn't just a cheerful boast; it’s a declaration that the joy of Christmas, rooted in Christ's coming, creates a unique atmosphere of light and celebration that outshines any worldly festivity. This brightness isn't superficial; it's the radiant joy that comes from the "light of the world" (John 8:12) dispelling darkness. As voices rise "arm in arm together" singing "til morning light," the song evokes an image of continuous, joyful worship that transcends the confines of time and space, perhaps even hinting at the eternal celebration promised in Revelation 7:9-10, where every tribe and nation joins in praise. Ultimately, "Christmas In Belfast (Sláinte!)" is an inspiring testament to the power of the Gospel to transform individuals, reconcile communities, and fill even the most unexpected spaces with authentic, uninhibited praise and the profound peace of Christ.