Do They Know It’s Christmas?
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It’s one of those golden oldies that gets wheeled out for four weeks of the year and results in serious torture issues for anyone working in a shop with music on repeat. Supermarket workers and Gap employees are most at risk. “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” is a song written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in 1984 specifically to raise money for relief of 1984-1985 famine in Ethiopia. The original version was produced by Midge Ure, and released by Band Aid on November 29, 1984.
The track immediately debuted at Number One in Great Britain, and was Number One on the American charts two weeks later. The song sold fifty million copies with over 3 million copies in Great Briton alone. Midge Ure personally accompaned the first relief shipment of over $70,000 worth of food and medical supplies to Ethiopa, March 11, 1985. The song has since become a Christmas classic.
Do They Know It’s Christmas Time Lyrics
(Paul Young)
It’s Christmas time
There’s no need to be afraid
At Christmas time
We let in light and we banish shade
(Boy George)
And in our world of plenty
We can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world
At Christmas time
(George Michael)
But say a prayer
Pray for the other ones
At Christmas time it’s hard
(Simon LeBon)
But when you’re having fun
There’s a world outside your window
(Sting) And it’s a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing is
(Bono joins in)
The bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that are ringing
Are clanging chimes of doom
(Bono only) Well, tonight thank God it’s them instead of you.
(Everyone)
And there won’t be snow in Africa this Christmas time.
The greatest gift they’ll get this year is life
Where nothing ever grows
No rain or rivers flow
Do they know it’s Christmas time at all?
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmas time
Feed the world
Do they know it’s Christmas time at all?
(Paul Young)
Here’s to you
raise a glass for everyone
Here’s to them
underneath that burning sun
Do they know it’s Christmas time at all?
Chorus (Everyone)
Feed the world
Feed the world
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmas time again
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmas time again
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmas time again
Repeat
The lyrics highlight the problem of sunny weather at Christmas time – “there won’t be snow in Africa this Christmas time” – nor in Australia, Florida or the Caymen Islands. Poor things. I wonder if it snows in Bethlehem in December?
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