Panadola Diction

 

No, I’m not looking for bundles of sticks for burning, I’m referring to BBC Radio 1’s bizarre decision to censor The Pogues’ Christmas classic, Fairytale of New York, as it ‘may offend’ some of their listeners.

So far, over 95% of voters on the BBC website have said ‘no’ it should not be censored. Who are the other 4.x percent? (Do let me know if you’re one of them) And why this year? The song was released in 1987 - so why censor it 20 years later? Was it not offensive enough last year?

Where will this PC shite end? With the complete disambiguation of the English language?

What would become of the man carrying a faggot on his back, smoking a fag on his way home to a plate of faggots after a hard day’s faggoting in the metal workshop, while his wife faggots away at her knitting, looking forward to her husband’s return so she can burn his faggot?

Maybe if Kirsty MacColl had sung “You scumbag, you maggot, you cheap lousy homosexual” it would be less offensive?

Might I also suggest that the HSC borrow some of the Westboro Nazi Baptist Church’s placards and slogans, and launch a new anti-smoking campaign. Surely Catholic Ireland would kick the habit if they only knew that God hates fags. That’s why he makes smokers stand out in the cold outside pubs.

Don’t forget to burn the ashen faggot this Christmas, or you’ll get four years of bad luck.

And here is a recipe for you - Merry Christmas Faggots

Fully agree with the sentiments of what you wrote, Jusk, and you make good points. To answer your question, though, it will all end with the news some morning in 2023 that the UK has finally self-censored itself out of existence.

To raise an additional point, if you really must do something like this, then simply do not play the song at all. Censoring a few words and then airing it is to diminish what is a work of art, particularly one that seems to have timeless appeal for many people.

A sorry day really.