Telegraph readers on Fairytale of New York: 'It's the only bearable Christmas song'
The news that Radio 1 intends to play a censored version of the The Pogues's Fairytale of New York has reignited a fierce debate about whether the song is appropriate.
Writing in the Telegraph, Ed Power, has explained why Fairytale of New York should be ditched for good because of its faux-Irish appeal as well as its homophobic language.
It's clear that The Pogues's Christmas hit remains a classic, but is it time to leave it in the past? Telegraph readers have had their say on this and have shared their favourite Christmas songs.
Read on to see what your fellow readers have had to say and then share your view in the comments section at the bottom of this article.
'A beautiful song'
@Frank Savage:
“The song is poetry of the highest standard and of which the Irish are well known throughout the world, hardly a negative stereotype.
“It is written about the Irish diaspora of which McGowan is a product. It is not set in Ireland but New York. Also McGowan is gay and would hardly write an anti-gay song.
“Fairytale of New York is one of the most beautiful songs of its era and written by a top poet.”
‘Pathetic’
@Malcolm Hockham:
“It’s a great song, and Radio 1 is pathetic to censor or edit it, apparently because it might offend the sensibilities of their younger listeners.
“It’s irrelevant how 'Irish' Shane McGowan is. Second or fifth generation, so what? Who cares?
"It’s a story about a rough, down on their luck couple arguing.”
'It should be banned anyway'
@Colin Wolstenholne:
"The song should not be censored, it should just be banned because it is complete rubbish, like most alleged Christmas songs."
'BBC is distant from society'
@Faustus Ferrovial:
"Perfect. The BBC continue to make themselves more and more distant from society by the day. Keep it up, kids! Here's to your total and utter obsoletion within ten years."
'A good song'
@Simon Coulter:
"I rather like the song and was unaware until I read it here that the offending word was technically accurate as to MacGowan's sexuality within the context where he and his late co-artiste chose to use it quite willingly."
'Why is everyone so sensitive?'
@Chris Welsby:
"Quite like the song, played to death mind.
"Don’t really care about the wording, why is everyone so sensitive these days?"
'Ban rap music'
@Brian Thorne:
"If the issue is homophobic and misogynistic slurs then most rap music should be banned from Radio 1?"
'What more do you want?'
@Maxwell StIves:
"Complaining about the Pogues, MacGowan, This Song as 'not being really Irish' is mightily or completely failing to understand what it's all about.
"This is not about being Irish. This is about being London Irish, or American Irish, or some other Irish displaced. That's why it's about being displaced, disappointed, demoralized, drunk and down and out.
"Being 'London Irish' meant The Pogues were either punked up Dubliners or Irished up Sex Pistols. Either way it's a great combination.
"Also 'Fairytale' is a great Christmas song because it's about a drunken fight. At Christmas. What more do you want?"
'The song is a perfectly crafted story'
@Marie Fleming:
"As an Irish person, the song is a perfectly crafted story set to a wonderful tune.
"It's not particularly Irish either - faux or not - although it draws on an imagined Irish immigrant experience in New York - and there is no such thing as the 'NYPD choir'."
'Everyone loves it'
@Jamie Taylor:
"The idea that Radio 1 is going to censor a generations-old classic so that it fits in with the bruisable sentiments of our delicate woke population is totally ridiculous.
"Everyone (else) loves it. I suspect that the more sniffy people that try to put it down then the more loved it'll become."
'It's the only bearable Christmas song'
@Dana Booth:
"Is everything that's historic just 'past its sell by date'? Time to dump everything that's old into the English channel I guess.
"The song was a historical piece when it was written, and along with 'here it is merry Christmas' it’s the only mainstream Christmas song that's bearable year after year."
'If you're offended, switch it off'
@Karen Dulchaointigh:
"It is a much loved Christmas tune. It should be played in its original form. If you are offended by it then you know where the tuning dial on the radio is, either switchover or switch off and leave the rest of us to enjoy it."
