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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
43ontherocksporfavor · 23/12/2023 22:38

@YouJustDoYou oh my I cannot believe so many can’t understand.

ImFloatingInAMostPeculiarWay · 23/12/2023 22:38

Its nearly 40 years old, do you not think this has been raised many many times??

Ffs

MrsTerryPratchett · 23/12/2023 22:38

YouJustDoYou · 23/12/2023 22:34

I remember being 8 years old waaay back in the day and thinking what theheck do "Africans" care if it's snowing or Christmas? Stupid song.

There's 4th century churches in Ethiopia, the oldest in sub-Saharan Africa.

TiredyMcTired · 23/12/2023 22:40

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.

🙌

Didimum · 23/12/2023 22:41

Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you

Surely everyone know this line is supposed to be sarcastic?

43ontherocksporfavor · 23/12/2023 22:43

‘ Tonight’ meaning ‘now’ we are doing something that will help them instead of you.

Topee · 23/12/2023 22:43

I was 13 when it was released, I can still see the pictures from the news, it was shocking and harrowing.

I don’t think it’s right to judge and condemn those that actually tried to do something to help. There’s plenty of other songs with hugely offensive lyrics that were written to line the pockets of the artist rather than try to help those in need, why not condemn those instead?

IveOnlyEverHeardOutwithONHere · 23/12/2023 22:44

Oh fucking yawn. Christ, isn’t there enough bad stuff going on in the world now? We can tell it’s not happening to you because you’re on here moaning about a song from 40 years ago.

yes, we all know the lyrics to that song are dodgy, but it was of its time, and it was only done with good in the hearts of the people who created it and the people who bought it.

I think Bono has a point that you might do well to listen to. Thank your lucky stars it’s not you in a warzone or a famine, rather than trying to make yourself look virtuous by manufacturing offence on somebody else’s behalf 40 years on. What have you done to help people less fortunate than you?

Grapewrath · 23/12/2023 22:45

I just hate Bono so much.
i thought the ‘thank god it’s them instead of you’ was meant as sarcasm because so many people dont give a shit past their own door step. I’m probably overthinking it.
It’s a ridiculous song really but the intent was good and there are many good voices in it.

oakleaffy · 23/12/2023 22:48

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

Where did all the money go?
It was indeed patronising bollocks

Grammarnut · 23/12/2023 22:49

I like it. However, when it was first produced a lot of people pointed out that Ethiopia is Christian and therefore the people knew when Christmas was - Coptic Christmas in January, I think. Other than that I don't see anything wrong, it is pointing out we should count our blessings and help others, rather than moaning about how hard it is for us.

Illbebythesea · 23/12/2023 22:49

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

Actually it works. Sing it. 😂 & there won’t be snow in E-thi-opia this Christmas time.

NooNakedJacuzziness · 23/12/2023 22:50

This thread winds me up every fucking year. There was a terrible famine, kids with stomachs the sizes of watermelons, people little more than skin and bones. But yes they shouldn't have bothered trying to help because someone 40 years in the future would have a problem with it.

StarlightLime · 23/12/2023 22:50

Illbebythesea · 23/12/2023 22:49

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

Actually it works. Sing it. 😂 & there won’t be snow in E-thi-opia this Christmas time.

No, it doesnt.

caggie3 · 23/12/2023 22:51

Where nothing ever grows, no rain or rivers flow

Cue the river Nile...

StarlightLime · 23/12/2023 22:52

Queue?

thenightsky · 23/12/2023 22:52

NoStarsTonight · 23/12/2023 22:35

The Band Aid 2 version was beyond awful.

There was a version 2??

Roiesin57 · 23/12/2023 22:53

Some people these days just look for things to be offended by 🙄 There are far worse things! When you manage to raise millions of pounds for charity without offending a single person then come back & moan. It was written quickley to be number 1 for Xmas and raise a lot of money. Bono said at the time he felt uncomfortable singing that line, but it the context is thank god we are not suffering. And "there won't be snow in Africa this Xmas time, the greatest gift they'll get is life" shows how desperate they were, whilst we were enjoying the excesses of Xmas & hopefully a cosy white Xmas whilst they were battling just to stay alive.
I also think that it should not be banned. Keeping the song alive will hopefully make people remember the reason for writing it in the first place. It is important we do not forget that.

caggie3 · 23/12/2023 22:53

StarlightLime · 23/12/2023 22:52

Queue?

hangs head in shame

I've had a few gins Grin

LadyLapsang · 23/12/2023 22:55

What starts out as a sound, ends in a deed. My flatmate at the time gave up her job as a midwife in London and went to work in Ethiopia.

MrsTwatInAHat · 23/12/2023 22:58

But yes they shouldn't have bothered trying to help

And ridiculous straw-manning winds me up. has OP, or anyone, suggested they shouldn’t have bothered trying to help? No. The thread is about the ignorant and patronising lyrics of the song - and it was 1984 not 1884 so I don’t think it was “of its time” either. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have done a charity single/concert and no one’s saying that.

BIossomtoes · 23/12/2023 23:00

Of course it was of its time. The world’s changed out of all recognition in 40 years, not least in the discovery of virtue signalling and never missing an opportunity to be offended by something.

StSwithinsDay · 23/12/2023 23:02

*@Grapewrath · Today 22:45

I just hate Bono so much.*

In that case you will be relived to know that he didn't write it.

HardcoreLadyType · 23/12/2023 23:03

StarlightLime · 23/12/2023 22:52

Queue?

Que?

Businessflake · 23/12/2023 23:04

I mean 'thank god it's them instead of us' is mind bending

Only for really thick people. The sentiment behind this is pretty fucking obvious.