Do They Know It’s G8 Time?
To the tune of Do They Know It’s Christmas? – Band Aid
Original version written by Midge Ure and Bob Geldof
New lyrics by Steve Wallis, version 2, 19/6/2005
This is the version of the song recorded on the 30th of June 2005. An updated (improved) version of these lyrics can be viewed by clicking here and an explanation for the changes can be read by clicking here.
It’s G8 time, there’s a need to be afraid
At G8 time, they say they’ll help but can you trust them?
In our world of plenty, there have been so many shattered dreams
Go on strike around the world at G8 time
You may pray, but strike for the other ones
At G8 time they plot, so we can’t just have fun
There’s a world outside your window
And it’s a world of dread and fear
There may be private water flowing
It’d be bitter like acid rain
And the G8 suits that plot there are Monsanto’s allies in power
So revolt now so it will be us instead of them
And there would be GM food in Africa after G8 time
There should be organic food in Africa after G8 time
And there would be GM drink in Africa after G8 time
There should be organic drink in Africa after G8 time
And there would still be dictators in Africa after G8 time
There should be democracy in Africa after G8 time
And there would still be AIDS in Africa after G8 time
There should be no more diseases in Africa after G8 time
And there would still be wars in Africa after G8 time
There should be peace around the world after G8 time
The greatest gift we can give them is socialism
When we all rule the world
No rich or poor any more
Do they know it’s G8 time at all?
Here’s to us
Go on strike for everyone
Stop Monsanto this summer for white and black
If they use mind control could the people fight back?
Here’s to them
Underneath that burning sun
You ain’t gotta feel guilt just powerful
Get our black friends back from the brink of hell
They will know it’s G8 time very soon
Go on strike – repeated 4 times
Do a Bolivia, let them know it’s G8 time – repeated to end
For these lyrics in a Word document, which you can print out, photocopy and distribute, click here.
You can download the track as recorded at the Cutting Rooms, Abraham Moss Centre, City College, Manchester on the 30th of June 2005 in MP3 format. Note that his singing performance was poor due to being very out-of-tune when he first attempted the track and having to make do with the recording several takes later; he believes that subconsciously he sang badly because the original lyrics were deeply flawed. Click for a fairly high quality (2548KB) or very low quality (531KB) version.