Showbiz
Rolf Harris apologises for racist lyrics
Published Tuesday, Dec 5 2006, 11:47 GMT | By Ben Rawson-Jones
Cultural icon Rolf Harris has expressed his regret over racist lyrics that were part of his hit 'Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport'.
Harris wrote the offending verse in 1960, which contains the anti-Aborigine line - "Let me Abos go loose, Lew/They've no further use, Lew."
"I was 27 or something when I wrote that," the artist told Radio Scotland. "But since 1960 I have never sung that verse." He later added that he has "great love and respect" for the Aborigines, who are the indigenous inhabitants of Australia.
The word 'Abo' is widely considered as highly offensive and is the equivalent of the racist term 'Paki'.
Harris wrote the offending verse in 1960, which contains the anti-Aborigine line - "Let me Abos go loose, Lew/They've no further use, Lew."
"I was 27 or something when I wrote that," the artist told Radio Scotland. "But since 1960 I have never sung that verse." He later added that he has "great love and respect" for the Aborigines, who are the indigenous inhabitants of Australia.
The word 'Abo' is widely considered as highly offensive and is the equivalent of the racist term 'Paki'.
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