So I’m writing a letter. And I’m listening to the Barenaked Ladies’ Barenaked for the Holidays. And I’m up to the eighth track, a cover of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”–the charity Christmas song done back in the 80s to raise money for starving children in sub-Sarahan Africa.
I hate this song. I despise this song.
Not the Barenaked Ladies’ version specifically. Actually, I think they do a very nice take on it.
It’s the message of the song that just gets me the wrong way. The first stanza is fine, about how Christmas charity should extend around the world. But then when the lyrics start babbling about “the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears” from the starving kids and “well, tonight, thank god it’s them instead of you” and the chorus of “let them know it’s Christmas time again” I have to wonder at just what Bob Geldof was trying to say twenty years ago. If children are starving and dehydrated, telling them it’s Christmas time isn’t going to really help them.
I despise this song.
Do you understand nothing about missionary work? Those starving darkies don’t need food and water, they just need GOD! Then when they die, it won’t be on your conscience, because they’ll get to go to Heaven to be with Jesus and the angels!
Or we could do like we do in Iraq, and just kill them outright…
Yeah, Geoff, I’m sure that’s what a bunch of 80’s British pop stars meant. Because people like Bob Geldof and Bono are all about the Jesusing.
I’ve replied in an article entitled “The War Against “Do They Know It’s Christmas” or Does Allyn Know It’s Christmas After All”
http://scavgraphics.livejournal.com/166601.html