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Original poster

I never look for offense, but "Do They Know its Christmas Tume" lyrics...

427 replies

SecondUsername4me · 23/12/2023 20:41

I mean, it's a bit iffy right?

And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time,The greatest gift they'll get this year is life

The whole of Africa?

Where the only water flowing, Is the bitter sting of tears

On the whole continent?

Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you

Err.....

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
Baghelpplease · 23/12/2023 20:44

Yes, it's an odd song but of it's time I think.

missmollygreen · 23/12/2023 20:44

Hang on, I'l ring Bob

Sk8erboi · 23/12/2023 20:44

This has been done to death and the meaning and message of the song is obvious.
While some of the lyrics are a bit off it is very old and a classic Christmas song.

I always take the "thank god it's them instead of you" to mean we should be grateful for how fortunate we are rather than wishing misfortune on others.
I think people look for offence sometimes.

Letterbix · 23/12/2023 20:45

I think it's widely acknowledged now that the lyrics are problematic.

bjs2310 · 23/12/2023 20:45

I'm from Africa and was living there when this song first came out. I hate it as a lot of patronising bollocks! Show me where the money raised from this song was spent and whose lives it changed and I might change my mind, but until then I cringe every time it is played Hmm

3luckystars · 23/12/2023 20:46

No point crying over spilt milk, it cannot be changed now and is a piece of history.

HairyMcHairyFace · 23/12/2023 20:46

Do they know it's Christmas is patronising bullshit. Yes, they wrote in about 7 minutes and yes, the intent behind it was good but that doesn't stop it being awful. It should be stop being played and it should definitely stop being remade.

cosypompoms · 23/12/2023 20:46

I was Caroling earlier and one of the songs was War is Over. Those lyrics are terrible and will be off the set list next year.

theduchessofspork · 23/12/2023 20:46

Letterbix · 23/12/2023 20:45

I think it's widely acknowledged now that the lyrics are problematic.

I think it always was, but obviously it was a fast turnaround with purpose

It’s weird it still gets played much

autienotnaughty · 23/12/2023 20:47

I find it bizarre that it's played in pubs and at parties like it's some cheery party time. It's pretty awful actually

Newsenmum · 23/12/2023 20:47

Yeah it’s always been horribly patronising

LittleMissSunshiner · 23/12/2023 20:48

There was a meme went round last year about the lyrics of this song which are IMO incredibly patronising and also insulting... I mean 'thank god it's them instead of us' is mind bending

ThomasinaLivesHere · 23/12/2023 20:49

Yeah it’s cringey. I’ve heard it being played quite a few times and was thinking something similar.

foodtoorder · 23/12/2023 20:49

I am surprised radio stations haven't been banned from playing to to be honest.

I say that as the least woke person but it is incredibly patronising.

Lots of different religions and cultures in the continent of Africa who wouldn't even celebrate so why would they care if it's Christmas? But at the same time the song was to play on heart strings and get people to donate.

SemperIdem · 23/12/2023 20:50

LittleMissSunshiner · 23/12/2023 20:48

There was a meme went round last year about the lyrics of this song which are IMO incredibly patronising and also insulting... I mean 'thank god it's them instead of us' is mind bending

I think that bit is meant to be taken as “be grateful for what you have” but yes, the lyrics are not in step with modern thinking across the board. Which makes sense, since it’s almost 40 years old.

As a pp said, it’s surprising that it’s still played so much.

NonPlayerCharacter · 23/12/2023 20:50

It's of its time, well intentioned. I think people know better now but we put it in its historical context.

Sometimeswinning · 23/12/2023 20:51

I think the problem is people love the song and the video. I imagine for every one of you offended there are 20 people at least enjoying this song for the next couple of days. (2 of them being me and dd8)

DonnaBanana · 23/12/2023 20:51

Listen to the Richard Cheese version. Exactly the same words but the style of the music makes it very obvious how horrible the lyrics are

StarlightLime · 23/12/2023 20:51

I am surprised radio stations haven't been banned from playing to to be honest
Wtf?

OhBabyNoBaby · 23/12/2023 20:52

I thought it was common knowledge that we all knew how problematic it is these days, even the people who wrote it don’t like it for that reason.

It’s embedded in UK Christmas culture now though and nothings gonna shift it.

RichardMarxisinnocent · 23/12/2023 20:53

Sk8erboi · 23/12/2023 20:44

This has been done to death and the meaning and message of the song is obvious.
While some of the lyrics are a bit off it is very old and a classic Christmas song.

I always take the "thank god it's them instead of you" to mean we should be grateful for how fortunate we are rather than wishing misfortune on others.
I think people look for offence sometimes.

This. OP you're nowhere near the first person to have said this, yes some lyrics are questionable when you think deeply about them, but the meaning is clear and it raised a shit load of money. I can accept some poetic licence in the lyrics, "there won't be snow in Ethiopia" doesn't really work with the tune.

EmmaEmerald · 23/12/2023 20:53

I think the song is of its time but I definitely don't hear it played in pubs or at parties! that's bizarre.

The oft quoted "there but for the grace of god go I" is the same, and whenever I say I am puzzled by that, people fall over themselves to explain, but I still just hear "thank god it's not your problem".

@RichardMarxisinnocent "I can accept some poetic licence in the lyrics, "there won't be snow in Ethiopia" doesn't really work with the tune."

I was about to say that 😂

StarlightLime · 23/12/2023 20:53

SemperIdem · 23/12/2023 20:50

I think that bit is meant to be taken as “be grateful for what you have” but yes, the lyrics are not in step with modern thinking across the board. Which makes sense, since it’s almost 40 years old.

As a pp said, it’s surprising that it’s still played so much.

Show quote history

Can you expand on "not in step with modern thinking"? How so?

43ontherocksporfavor · 23/12/2023 20:53

It was written at the time of famine in Ethiopia so everyone at the time( I was a teen) understood Africa to refer to that famine. ‘ Tonight thank god it’s them’ refers to thank god it’s them that’s getting help . It was a charity song that raised millions to help the Ethiopian people.What is wrong with you???

Nasahoodie · 23/12/2023 20:54

It's not Christmas until Bono starts wailing about his clanging chimes of doom.