What we are talking about is the “Fairytale of New York” homophobia discourse ... The song, written by Pogues banjo player Jem Finer and frontman Shane MacGowan, is about the pain and ...

Thanks to the enduring allure of "Fairytale of New York," the spirit of the Pogues ... featured Pogues members Spider Stacy on tin whistle, Jem Finer on banjo, and James Fearnley on accordion.