Do They Know It’s Christmas?
It’s Christmas time
And 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 bring day
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 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
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
Feed the world
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmas time againFeed the world
Let them know it’s Christmas time again
Listen to the song Do They Know It’s Christmas? performed by George Michael, Culture Club, U2
Listen to the song
Hør sangen
About the carol Do They Know It’s Christmas?
“Do They Know It’s Christmas?” was written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in 1984 as a charity song responding to the famine in Ethiopia. The recording brought together a large group of British and Irish musicians under the name Band Aid. Recorded at Sarm West Studios in London in November 1984, the song was released in December and was intended to raise money for famine relief. It quickly became a major Christmas-season release.
The song uses Christmas as a contrast between people celebrating in relative comfort and people experiencing hunger and hardship. Its central message asks listeners to think about suffering beyond their own surroundings and to respond through generosity. The recording brought together many prominent musicians of the period, making the collective performance itself part of the song’s identity.
Its Christmas connection therefore goes beyond seasonal celebration. The song became associated with charitable giving and the idea that Christmas can be a time to consider people facing difficult circumstances. It reached number one in the United Kingdom and became the Christmas number one in 1984. The project also helped inspire the wider Live Aid movement and subsequent Band Aid recordings.
