I didn't say anything about staying "faithful" to the song. That's a laughable allusion. And your "extremely racially offensive words" are all down to your own personal predilections. If we can't discuss those words and the context in which we find them, just on your say-so, then we don't live in a free country. We already know of your difficulties: "c-word", "n-word" and "d*rkies." It's very hard to discuss these frank issues with someone who can't even bring him/herself to utter the words. You want us to think you live in the UK. Well take a look at the Guardian style guide. If we mean nigger, coon and darkies, we say nigger, coon and darkies. No mucking about, no asterisks. Same as we do with fuck, cunt and the like (note that I rarely type those words: being pusillanimous says more about you than it does about those ancient and time-honoured words). Consider that you could actually be part of the problem. Last word: there has been, in this thread, the glib use of the expression "racist song." A racist song is a song that promotes racism. A song isn't a racist song because it contains words that white imperialists disapprove of. It might not be a song worth singing, or a song that it would be wise to sing, but there is a distinction. That's what this thread should really be about.