Band Aid – Do They Know It's Christmas

"Do They Know It's Christmas" as written by Midge Ure and Bob Geldof....
It's Christmas time,
there's no need to be afraid
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,
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
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(Oooh)
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 again

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


Lyrics submitted by numb

Do They Know It's Christmas song meanings
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28 Comments

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  • +1
    General CommentHate this song and I hate the fucking remake.

    Not just because its musically awful.
    Nightfreakon December 04, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Commentye but it gets the problem in the public eye, and then little kids will find it catchy and buy it, it just publisises' it and gets peoplke more aware,. It may be patronising, it may be fuiking godly and bible bashing, but its helping people, and though this sounds very shallow at least when u buy this ur helping someone and getting something ur self (the record). As an aferthough, they probly dont no its christmas time becasue they probly dont belive in jesus. I don';t liek the recored but its for a good cause.
    Red_armyon December 09, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Commentit is irrelevant wat u think of the song, nightfreak and noggins, because it surpasses like or dislike. ur opinions are insignificant, what matters is it is now on course to raise over £10million this year.
    torrance21on December 18, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General CommentMerry Christmas!
    stoolhardyon December 25, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI hate how everyone is over-thinking & criticizing this song!!! If you weren't alive in the early '80's & your only reading the lyrics then maybe... But I remember when there was no satellite tv & every channel was covering the famine in Ethiopia - the REASON for this song!!! If anyone ever looked at a map, there are no rivers in Ethiopia, only a few scattered bodies of water..not to mention, a holy place & majority Christian. They were experiencing serious drought, huge dust storms, disease with no medical near by, & everything & everyone was dying!! Nothing grows without rain. The song was done quickly after Thansgiving; telling others while your celebrating remember what's happening elsewhere- don't take your blessings for granted & also give to others! People tend to be more giving at Christmas & at that time of year, radios only play Christmas music. This disaster wasn't any different than the tsunamis & hurricanes of today, just wasn't as much coverage in those days. I'll never forget those images of those people; starving, in the desert-like conditions, having to watch every thing around them slowly die.. When you're living a humble life with no frills, trying to feed your children, your village, you forget about everything else. It changed people's lives. Stop judging things you don't know about or what others did to try to help! And yes, the greatest gift those in Ethiopia, Africa got that year was life- they survived with help of food & water from the outside!!! GET A GRIP PEOPLE!! THERE ISNT ANYTHING CONDESENDING ABOUT THIS SONG!!! IT STATED TRUE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT TIME (1984) IN HISTORY!!! STOP PICKING IT APART WORD BY WORD!!!
    Instead, remember any of those who are having to do without the basic needs of life; give to others & do your part to help our world, rather than sit back & think "thank God it's them & not me" - just as implied in this song.
    As Mother Teresa said, "if you can't feed many, then at least feed one".
    As far as the "saying"(as stated below) -"give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish, you feed him for a lifetime" - ITS NOT A SAYING - YOU'RE QUOTING JESUS CHRIST TO HIS DISCIPLES!

    Stop busying your lives with overthinking & criticism - busy yourselves with kindness, love & helping your fellow man!
    God's peace to all
    livingingraceon December 13, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General CommentDoes anyone know who sings which bit of this song?
    FaithSummeron December 06, 2001   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI think it is obvious what this song is about but I will say what I think anyways. It is saying that at Christmas time you should take some time and pray for the people who are way less fortunate than you. Its hard to when you are having fun but outside your window....in other countries there are people who might now even know that it is Christmas time. There is no snow, no rain or rivers...just them and the burning sun. They won't be getting any gifts....just the gift of life and that you should be thankful for what you have.
    EmoKid707on September 27, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentWhy not just send money directly, rather than buying this cheesy, patronising, shitty-sleb-ego-stroking pile of shit?
    nogginson December 07, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI like this song, personally i like the original more though. Hey you don't nesicarily have to beleve in jesus to celebrate christmas, i don't beleive in god/jesus etc... at all but we still celebrate as most of my freinds do too. and anyway the "do they know its christmas at all?" lyric is really just putting the message thru to help the helpless. i agree with you too torrance21.
    millionaireon December 30, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentHaha, Band-Aid, hilarious.
    I'm going to go and buy it just for the kitschy value.

    But what I really want is the Live Aid DVD. My flatmate has it on video from when it was on TV, but her video sucks. Go Bono with the Guinness Mullet!
    Arianrhodon December 31, 2004   Link

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