Band Aid 30 lyrics: Reworked lyrics for Ebola-themed 'Do they know it's Christmas?' revealed

The controversial 'there won't be snow in Africa' line has been replaced

Band Aid 30 are releasing a new version of 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'

The lyrics for the new Band Aid 30 single have been revealed as stars including Bono, Adele and One Direction record the song.

Bob Geldof chose the Ebola crisis as the focus of the charity release, which comes a decade after the last Band Aid effort.

The disease has killed more than 5,000 people in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia and the spread continues despite international efforts to contain the virus.

"Do They Know It's Christmas", first released in 1984, has been modified to include references to how Ebola can be transmitted through contact with infected loved ones.

The lyric “where a kiss of love can kill you and there's death in every tear" replaces the former line "where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears”.

Harry Styles, Bono and Rita Ora arrive to record the Band Aid 30 single (Rex Features, EPA, Getty Images)

The "there won't be snow in Africa" line, often criticised for its factual inaccuracy as well as for making "Africa the country" generalisations, has been changed to "no peace and joy this Christmas in West Africa - the only hope they'll have is being alive”.

Another contentious line, which Bono himself previously said he "really, really loathed" has been scrubbed.

“Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you" now reads “well tonight we're reaching out and touching you".

Stars arrived at studios in Notting Hill early this morning to record the single, which is being released on Monday.

It will be performed live for the first time on Sunday night's The X Factor and will cost 99p to download or £4 to buy on CD.

Geldof said: "It really doesn't matter if you don't like this song. It really doesn't matter if you don't like the artists, it really doesn't matter if it turns out to be a lousy recording - what you have to do is buy this thing."

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 after all

Feed the world - Let them know it’s Christmastime again

Feel the world - Let them know it’s Christmastime again

Heal the world - Let them know it’s Christmastime again