A song known across the generations since being released on 4 separate occasions – the first in 1984, second in 1989, the third in 2004 and the most recent in 2014.
The lyrics and structure of the song change marginally between versions, I’ve used the lyrics to the original as that’s the one I know best however the letter notes below should be good enough to play all the versions 🙂
C C – A A
It’s Christmas time
A G G F G G-GA
There’s no need to be afraid
C C – A A
At Christmas time
A A G G
We let in light
F F G-G G-A
And we banish shade
G A ^C ^D ^C ^E-^D-^C
And in our world of plenty ~
A G ^C ^C ^D ^C A-G-F
We can spread a smile of joy ~
A ^C ^D ^C-^C ^D ^E
Throw your arms around the world
G ^E-^E ^D-^C
At Christmas time
^E ^D ^C ^C
But say a prayer
^D ^D ^C ^D-^E ^E-^D-^C
Pray for the other ones ~
^C ^C – ^D ^C
At Christmas time,
^C ^C ^D ^D ^C ^D-^E ^E
It’s hard, but when you’re having fun
^E ^D ^C ^C – ^C ^D B-A-G
There’s a world outside your window
^C ^C ^C ^C ^D ^C G A
And it’s a world of dread and fear
^C ^C ^C-^C ^C-^D B-A
Where the only water flowing
G G ^C-^D ^C G A
Is the bitter sting of tears
^C ^C ^C – ^C ^C
And the Christmas bells
^C B A-G
That ring there
^C ^C ^C-^D ^C G A
Are the clanging chimes of doom
^F ^F-^F ^F ^F ^F ^D
Well, tonight, thank God it’s them
^E-^F ^E ^E
Instead of you
A B ^C ^C ^C ^C B-A-G
And there won’t be snow in Africa
A A – G G
This Christmas time
G ^C – ^C ^C
The greatest gift
^D B A G A G
They’ll get this year is life
^E-^D-^C
Ohh…
^C ^C – ^C ^C-^D B
Where nothing ever grows
^C ^C ^D ^C-G A
No rain or rivers flow
^F ^E ^C G
Do they know it’s
^F – ^E ^C ^D C
Christmas time at all?
^E ^E ^E
Here’s to you
^D ^C ^D ^E ^D-^C-B
Raise a glass for everyone
^E ^E ^E
Here’s to them
^D – ^C – ^D ^E ^D-^C B
Underneath that burning sun
^F ^E ^C G
Do they know it’s
^F – ^E ^C ^D ^C
Christmas time at all?
^G ^C ^F-^E-^C
Feed the world ~
^A ^G ^F ^E ^F-^E ^D
Let them know it’s Christmas time
^C ^G ^C ^F-^E-^C
And feed the world ~
^A ^G ^F ^E ^F-^E ^D
Let them know it’s Christmas time…