do they know it's Christmas?

WORDS and MUSIC by
BOB GELDOF and MIDGE URE
Released as a single in 1984
and twice subsequently

The ultimate song of unfulfilled promise: as part of the Band-Aid process in 1985, almost a billion pounds ($1.4bn) made its way to Africa. Much of this money cme not from the single and and concert but from governments, who would deal only at governmental level. Thus much of the money went to Ethioian dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam, who had much exacerbated the crisis in Tigray by making war on the region - but this was never reported in Michael Buerk's seminal dispatch nor by Bob Geldof, who were anxious not to give the public reasons not to donate.

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
Where nothing ever grows
No rain nor 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
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