Band Aid 30: Listen to the charity single raising money to fight Ebola

Band Aid 30, the updated charity single from Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, has gone on sale after being shown for the first time on The X Factor last night.

All proceeds from the single, available to download on iTunes now and in CD format in three weeks, will go towards combating Ebola in West Africa, where more than 5,000 people have died from the world’s worst-ever outbreak of the disease.

Geldof first organised a similar charity supergroup in 1984, raising £8million for the victims of the Ethiopia famine, and the song was re-recorded again in 1989 and 2004. This time round the lyrics have been changed slightly to reference Ebola.

Band Aid 30 lyrics

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, 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

No peace and joy this Christmas in West Africa

The only hope they'll have is being alive

Where to comfort is to fear

Where to touch is to be scared

How can they know it's Christmas time at all

Here's to you

Raise a glass to everyone

And here's to them

And all their years to come

Let them know it's Christmas time after all

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

Feel the world, let them know it's Christmas time again

Heal the world, let them know it's Christmas time again

More information about Band Aid 30

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