Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Tom Waits
Canonical path: /tom-waits/starving-in-the-belly-of-a-whale
Related lyric paths: 6
Video embedded: yes
Lyric guide
Starving In The Belly Of A Whale
Read Starving In The Belly Of A Whale lyrics by Tom Waits on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
Starving In The Belly Of A Whale
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
Life is whittled
Life's a riddle
Man's a fiddle that life plays on
When the day breaks and the earth quakes
Life's a mistake all day long
Tell me, who gives a good goddamn
You'll never get out alive
Don't go dreaming
Don't go scheming
A man must test his mettle
In a crooked ol' world
Starving in the belly
Starving in the belly
Starving in the belly of a whale
Starving in the belly
Starving in the belly
Starving in the belly of a whale
Don't take my word
Just look skyward
They that dance must pay the fiddler
Sky is darkening
Dogs are barking
But the caravan moves on
You tell me, who gives a good goddamn
You'll never get out alive
Don't go dreaming
Don't go scheming
A man must test his mettle
In a crooked ol' world
Starving in the belly
Starving in the belly
Starving in the belly of a whale
Oh we're starving in the belly
Starving in the belly
Starving in the belly of a whale
As the crow flies
It's there the truth lies
At the bottom of the well
E-o-Leven goes to heaven
Bless the dead here as the rain falls
Don't trust a bull's horn
A doberman's tooth
A runaway horse or me
Don't be greedy, don't be needy
If you live in hope
You're dancing to a terrible tune
Starving in the belly
Starving in the belly
Starving in the belly of a whale
Oh starving in the belly
Starving in the belly
Starving in the belly of a whale
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "Starving In The Belly Of A Whale"?
Tom Waits performs "Starving In The Belly Of A Whale", and this lyric page sits inside the Tom Waits catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "Starving In The Belly Of A Whale"?
Yes. The related section below points to Drunk On The Moon and Black Market Baby with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Tom Waits?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Tom Waits's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on Starving In The Belly Of A Whale yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.