Do they know it’s Christmas?

Nell’ormai lontano (davvero? Eppure mi sembra così vicino, per averlo vissuto in prima persona) 1984, Bob Geldof e Midge Ure (all’epoca leader ispirato della mitica band degli Ultravox) dettero vita a un’utopia musicale con finalità benefiche: la fondazione di Band Aid, sorta di supergruppo britanno-irlandese.

Geldof si riproponeva di raccogliere fondi per contrastare la piaga della fame in Etiopia grazie alla pubblicazione del singolo, che ottenne un successo planetario, Do They Know It’s Christmas?

Oggi più che mai abbiamo bisogno di utopie e di sogni da realizzare come quello di Bob Geldof.

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 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 and pray for the other ones
At Christmas time, it’s hard but while you’re having fun
There’s a world outside your window, and it’s a world of dread and fear
Where a kiss of love can kill you, and there’s death in every tear
And the Christmas bells that ring there are the clanging chimes of doom

Well tonight we’re reaching out and touching you

Bring peace and joy this Christmas to West Africa
A song of hope they’ll have is being alive
Why is comfort deadly fear
Why is to touch to be scared
How can they know it’s Christmas time at all

Here’s to you
Raise a glass to everyone
Here’s to them
And all their years to come

Can they know it’s Christmas time at all

Feed the world, let them know it’s Christmas time again
Feed the world, let them know it’s Christmas time again…