Do They Know It's Christmas?
Temperance Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

(B. Geldof, M. Ure, with alterations by Temperance)
It's Christmas-time
There's no need to be afraid
At Christmas-time, we let in love and we banish hate
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 (ooh-hoo), prayer for the other ones
At Christmas-time it's hard, but when you're having fun
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 (uhm, hmm)
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
(Oh-oh) The greatest gift they'll get this year is life
(Is life, ooh-wo-ooh-wo-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Where nothing ever grows
No rain or rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmas-time at all?
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




Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas-time

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Do They Know it's Christmas?" by Temperance are a reworked version of the original song that was written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in 1984 to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. The song addresses the stark contrast between the festive season and the poverty and suffering that millions of people are facing in other parts of the world. The opening lines set the tone of the song, reassuring listeners that Christmas should be a time of love and positivity, and urging people to spread joy around the world. The song acknowledges the privilege that many of us have, and the need to consider those who are less fortunate. The line, "Say a prayer for the other ones" encourages us to think of those who are struggling during the holiday season, and to empathize with their experiences.


The song then takes a darker turn, painting a vivid picture of the misery and hopelessness that many people face in developing countries. The chorus drives home the message of the song, reminding us that we have a responsibility to help people who are less fortunate than ourselves. The repetition of "Feed the world" serves as a call to action, urging people to contribute in any way they can to alleviate hunger and poverty around the world. The song ends with a poignant plea to remind those suffering that it's Christmas time, and that they are not forgotten.


* The original version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" was released in 1984 and featured popular musicians like Bono, George Michael, and Sting.
* The song raised millions of dollars for famine relief in Ethiopia.
* The song was re-recorded in 1989 and 2004 with new lineups of popular musicians.
* The debate over whether the song perpetuates stereotypes about Africa and its people has been ongoing since its release.
* The line "Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you" has been criticized as being insensitive and patronizing.
* Despite the criticism, the song remains a popular Christmas staple and is often reworked by different artists to address contemporary issues.
* The song was originally inspired by Bob Geldof's visit to Ethiopia after seeing news footage of the famine there.
* Geldof and Midge Ure wrote the song in just one day.
* The song was initially intended to be a one-off charity single but went on to become a global hit.
* The song has been covered by over 20 different artists.


Chords:
Verse:
D A Bm G
D A Bm G
D A Bm G
D A Bm G


Chorus:
G A Bm A
G A Bm A
D A G A
D A G A


Line by Line Meaning

It's Christmas-time
The holiday season has arrived


There's no need to be afraid
Christmas should be a time of joy, not fear


At Christmas-time, we let in love and we banish hate
During the holidays, we should focus on love and positivity, rather than negativity


And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy
We should use our abundance to bring happiness to others


Throw your arms around the world at Christmas-time
We should show love and compassion to people from all over the world


But say a prayer (ooh-hoo), prayer for the other ones
Remember to think of those less fortunate and offer them a prayer


At Christmas-time it's hard, but when you're having fun
It's difficult to remember those in need when you're enjoying yourself, but it is important to do so


There's a world outside your window
Many people are experiencing hardship and suffering outside of our personal bubbles


And it's a world of dread and fear
Conditions outside of our immediate surroundings can be terrifying for others


Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears (uhm, hmm)
Many people are dealing with a lack of basic necessities and are in dire need


And the Christmas bells that ring there
Even in places where Christmas is celebrated, the holiday season may not be pleasant for everyone


Are the clanging chimes of doom
In some places, the holiday season brings with it a sense of darkness and despair


Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you
Be grateful for everything you have and recognize that not everyone is as fortunate


And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas-time
Many regions of the world experience different weather patterns during the holiday season


(Oh-oh) The greatest gift they'll get this year is life
Some people are struggling to simply stay alive, and this is the best gift they could receive


(Is life, ooh-wo-ooh-wo-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Life is precious and something that should never be taken for granted


Where nothing ever grows
Many places are devoid of even the most basic resources


No rain or rivers flow
The lack of natural resources can lead to starvation and other serious problems


Do they know it's Christmas-time at all?
Many people in different parts of the world don't observe Christmas or have never even heard of it


Here's to you...raise a glass for everyone
Celebrate and be merry, but extend your good wishes to everyone, not just those in your immediate circle


Here's to them...underneath that burning sun
Many people are suffering in extreme conditions and it is important to remember them


Feed the world
Help those who are less fortunate and in need


Let them know it's Christmas-time
Help spread awareness of the holiday season and its message of love, compassion, and charity


Feed the world


Let them know it's Christmas-time




Contributed by Taylor D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Robert Claffie

As bog-standard Euro remixes go, it's not bad

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