At least now I understand why there's so much disgust regarding the song. Perhaps I've learned something from posts here, but I can't imagine this song as being funny. Áine, thanks for spending the amount of time doing what must have been very distasteful in order to post the song. I'll view it as you having pointed out the rather large pile of poop I don't want to step in.

I grew up in a part of the country where I never encountered Gypsies. They were the stuff of legend, and I was an adult before I realized they existed in my day and age. Perhaps the Blarney Brothers and everyone who likes this song is ignorant of their existance. Perhaps someone has explained the song portrays a stereotype and hurts people, but like some who've discussed it, they just don't care.

The primary difference between a light-hearted joke and a slam is how the person who hears it feels. Some people think that only the person telling it gets to determine that. Wrong.

As far as comments about people in groups making messes, have you ever seen the aftermath of an outdoor rock concert or a folk festival? I'd hazard a guess that non-Travelers can make more of a mess in a few hours or days than Travelers normally make in a weeks or months.