Would somebody like to claim this anon post below that I've copied before the moderators delete it?

Subject: RE: Is it permissible-to change a word in an old s
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 05:20 AM

Skipy said: "Yes! in the song "Edward Hollander" (flying Cloud)I refuse to sing "we hauled those niggers up on deck" I sing "we hauled those negroes up on deck".
"It has the same value in the song & should not offend."

Actually, I'm not sure it does have the same value in the song. The original word has a stronger percussive force, and vividly conveys the narrator's contempt in a way that "negroes" does not. The danger is that sanitising the song allows people to avoid the ugly truth its original wording conveys, and hence fall into a cosy illusion. Better to confront them with the unvarnished facts and let that be proof of how vile the old attitudes were.

I'm always a bit uneasy about this urge to "tidy up" old books, songs and movies to suit our modern sensibilities. I'd suggest either giving a brief intro explaining that the song contains the language and attitudes of a previous era or simply avoiding the song altogether.