The Most Depressing Christmas Song EVER

Every year, I hear it and every year I think, "I should look up the lyrics to this and really break it down."  "Maybe," I think," it isn't as gloomy as it sounds when you just pick out a few phrases here and there".  Well, today when I got home from picking up Charlie, I looked it up.  The song is called "Feed The World".  You've heard it, but you probably think it's called, "Do They Know It's Christmastime?"

Here are the lyrics and a break-down of why they suck and/or essentially make no sense.

"Do They Know It's Christmas" (Band Aid 20 version)

It's Christmastime
There's no need to be afraid--I strongly disagree with this statement.  Have y'all watched the news lately?  I know we don't live in a third world country, but come on?  I seriously am afraid every morning of the year when I drop my kid off at school because kids are getting shot at school all the time lately.  And need I mention robberies, rapes or murders that are plastered all over the headlines every day?  Oh wait, nobody's thinking of those because they're all worried Phil Robertson's opinion of black people and gay people is really going to have an impact on the world somehow....I digress.  Let's continue with the song.

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--Oh, don't forget about the "other ones."  You know, those people who don't have enough food, water shelter--the basic stuff you take for granted every day because:
At Christmastime it's hard--But it's not so bad being poor the rest of the year.
But when you're having fun
There's a world outside your window
And it's a world of dread and fear--Wait, I thought there was no need to be afraid?  What's with all the dread and fear?  Come on, it's CHRISTMAS, y'all!
Where the only water flowing
Is the bitter sting of tears--Okay, since this song is about drought and famine in Africa, I'll give them that there's not much water flowing in the form of rain or rivers.  However, I doubt if there are THAT many tears.  I mean, can you really cry that much when you're really dehydrated?
And the Christmas bells that ring there
Are the clanging chimes of doom
Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you--I don't have time to Google it, but I'm not at all convinced that Christmas Bells are a common theme in Africa.  They actually aren't even that common anywhere anymore, but what the heck are "The Clanging Chimes of Doom?"  I wasn't a band geek, but I don't remember those in the percussion section at all.  Additionally, all I can say is, if you look at suffering people and say, "Thank God its them and not me!"  you're the biggest jerk in the world.  Really.  
And there won't be snow in Africa
This Christmastime--There won't be snow in South Carolina either, but we won't miss it.  I doubt if Africa will be very troubled by the lack of a white Christmas.
The greatest gift they'll get
This year is life--Duh, isn't that the greatest gift ANYONE can EVER get?
Where nothing ever grows
No rain nor rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmastime at all--Well, I'm not sure.  I suppose it would depend on whether or not they know about Christ, or believe in Christianity, or even CARE that it's a Christian holiday?  And seriously, when you're suffering, you're suffering.  Christmastime or not, suffering sucks.
Here's to you
Raise a glass for everyone--Seriously, don't you know there are thirsty people in Africa?  How insensitive.
Spare a thought this yuletide for the deprived
If the table was turned would you survive
Here's to them--Because toasting the poor with some bubbly really helps.  It helps a lot, folks.
Underneath that burning sun
You ain't gotta feel guilt just selfless--But your donation will mean so much more if you make it out of a guilt-laden heart filled with self-loathing and bitterness.  
Give a little help to the helpless--But not too much help, remember, "Give a man a fish..."
Do they know it's Christmastime at all

Feed the world
Feed the world
Feed the world
Feed the world
Feed the world.....etc....

(This song, performed by Band Aid 20, features Bono on vocals and can be found on the Do They Know It's Christmas 20 single)

Ah.  I feel better now because I'm sure this is a bad song.  It's just bad.  I hope they were at least able to raise a bunch of money with it though.  It would be a shame to waste all this awfulness on the world and not get any benefit from it.  I know it was meant for good, but really, for a Christmas song, it's just, well...bad.