That’s right: What Africa really needs is snow
The pilots of an alien spacecraft, peering down upon our curious little world, would probably find it remarkable that every time there is an earthquake or a tsunami or a plague or a famine or a hurricane on one side of the planet, on the other side people throw an enormous party and call it “fundraising.”
Anyway, on that topic and for the edification of the reader I thought I’d post the lyrics to Do They Know It’s Christmas?, a “Band-Aid II” song from 1984 that is probably earnest but also somewhat offensive and hilariously ethnocentric (I never thought I would use that word, but there you have it):
It’s Christmastime
There’s no need to be afraid
At Christmastime, 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 Christmastime
But say a prayer
Pray for the other ones
At Christmastime 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 Christmastime
The greatest gift they’ll get this year is life
(Oooh) Where nothing ever grows
No rain nor rivers flow
Do they know it’s Christmastime at all?
(Here’s to you) raise a glass for everyone
(Here’s to them) underneath that burning sun
Do they know it’s Christmastime at all?
Feed the world
Feed the world
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmastime again
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmastime again
No. Seriously. People actually sang this song, and recorded it. Like, professional people.
1984 was a different time.
Post a Comment