Young people who are offended by contemporary homophobic associations of the word “faggot” may be unaware that in old Irish slang “faggot” means a bundle of sticks, and hence a lazy person (Nick Cave accuses BBC of ‘mutilating’ Fairytale of New York, 1 December)). Strange that the BBC protects the sensibilities of those who feel offended by their own misunderstanding and find offence where none was intended.
It was good to read Nick Cave’s thoughtful comments about the fragile artistic integrity of this Christmas song enjoyed and played worldwide, whose emotional impact derives partly from its down to earth depiction of love. Surely we all sometimes hate those we love, and in my experience acknowledging the inevitable hating moments only deepens and enhances the love I feel for my partner.
Thank you, Laura Snapes, for including Shane MacGowan’s comment that he found censorship of the song to be “ridiculous” – a concise summary of a complex topic.
Paul Solomon
Grey Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand
• Although Nick Cave accuses the BBC of censoring Fairytale of New York, it appears that Kirsty MacColl already sang the version the BBC proposes using (on Radio 1 only), back in 1992 on Top of the Pops, to not much outrage.
Whether the late Ms MacColl changed the lyrics of her own volition or under pressure from the BBC at the time is not clear. But in the spirit of mischief, let me throw a little more petrol on the fire. At the time of the song’s release, the NYPD did not have a choir representing the whole force, but if they had one now, let’s hope it would be open to all genders and not just “the boys of the NYPD” – harrumph!
Phil Coughlin
Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear
