Do They Know It's Christmas?
Band Aid [1984 Original Version] Lyrics
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At Christmas time, we let in light and we banish shade
And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world at Christmas time
But say a prayer
Pray for the other ones
At Christmas time it's hard
There's a world outside your window
And it's a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing
Is the bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that ring there
Are the clanging chimes of doom
Well, tonight thank God it's them instead of you!
And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life (Ohoho)
Where nothing ever grows, no rain nor rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmas time at all? (Oh)
(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?
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
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again
The Band Aid song "Do They Know It's Christmas?" was created in response to the Ethiopian famine of 1984-1985. The song was written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure and recorded by various British and Irish artists under the name "Band Aid" in 1984. The lyrics of the song reference the stark contrast between the abundance of the Christmas season and the poverty and suffering experienced by those affected by the famine.
The opening lines reflect the joy and warmth associated with the holiday season, but also acknowledge that people suffer during this time of year. The song urges listeners to recognize the plight of those who are less fortunate, specifically those in Africa, where the drought has severely limited access to basic necessities like clean water and food. The chorus asks whether those suffering in Africa are aware of the Christmas season and reminds listeners to take action to help those in need. The closing lines of the song encourage people to come together and "feed the world" by donating resources to ease the effects of the famine.
Line by Line Meaning
It's Christmas time, there's no need to be afraid
We shouldn't fear celebrating Christmas as it's a time of joy and love.
At Christmas time, we let in light and we banish shade
We take this time to spread happiness and charity, driving away negativity and bringing light to others.
And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy
We're fortunate enough to have an abundance of resources that we can share to help others feel happy.
Throw your arms around the world at Christmas time
Let's show our compassion and love towards everyone around the world during this festive season.
But say a prayer
Take a moment to pray for those who are struggling and suffering during this time of year.
Pray for the other ones
We should pray for our fellow humans who may not have the luxury of enjoying the holiday season like us.
At Christmas time it's hard
It can be difficult to see others suffering during a time when we're supposed to be celebrating.
But when you're having fun
We shouldn't forget to help those in need even when we're enjoying ourselves.
There's a world outside your window
We need to realize that there are people outside of our immediate communities who are struggling.
And it's a world of dread and fear
Many people in the world are living in fear and uncertainty.
Where the only water flowing
There are areas in the world where clean water is scarce or nonexistent.
Is the bitter sting of tears
People are suffering and they have no relief - this hurts them deeply.
And the Christmas bells that ring there
Even the joyful sound of Christmas bells can't drown out the suffering in some parts of the world.
Are the clanging chimes of doom
The bells signify the ever-present danger and uncertainty that some people are facing.
Well, tonight thank God it's them instead of you!
We should be grateful and remember that we're fortunate to not be in the situation that less privileged people are in right now.
And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time
In some parts of the world, the typical winter symbols associated with Christmas simply don't exist.
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life (Ohoho)
For some people, simply making it through another day is a gift.
Where nothing ever grows, no rain nor rivers flow
In certain areas, the lack of natural resources makes it difficult for people to live and thrive.
Do they know it's Christmas time at all? (Oh)
Some people in other parts of the world don't celebrate Christmas and may not be aware of the customs that we engage in.
(Here's to you) Raise a glass for everyone
This toast is made to extend our well-wishes and love to everyone around the world.
(Here's to them) Underneath that burning sun
We should acknowledge the struggles that people face in communities that are in hot and difficult climates.
Feed the world
We should offer our resources and assistance to help alleviate world hunger.
Let them know it's Christmas time again
We should do our part to raise awareness and share the spirit of Christmas with others around the world.
Contributed by Aubrey G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mshabs2238
It's 2023, who's still here? This resonates more & more every year.
@jh.4770
I am. You posted this 22 minutes ago, and it was probably 22 minutes ago I heard this song being played here at the hotel I'm at.
@Jaguar-zr3ff
My favourite one. Why wasn't I born in the 80's ? I was born on 19th Dec 2002 😞 Take me back pls 🚀
@jonsnow1804
King in The North is here
@michaelrodriguez3329
I was in Jr.high school. When it came out Good music and times
@claudiagrosshauser2800
Its og
@Inc0gnit0229
"There's a world outside your window... and it's a world of dread and fear."
Still relevant after 39 years.
@michaelmarshall1713
Still Starving and Breeding .
@AW_7_7_7
with the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, among others.....😭 sad sad world
@gempath5533
Unfortunately, it's more relevant than ever.