Kneecap brings a raw, rebellious energy to ‘Smugglers & Scholars’ from their album FENIAN. The trio, with Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh and NAOISE IARLA Ó CAIREALLÁIN, mixes sharp lyrics with a gritty melody. They craft a sound that’s both defiant and rhythmic, setting the tone for a track that demands attention.
Released: February 24, 2026
Smugglers & Scholars
Kneecap • From “FENIAN”
FENIAN’s Smugglers & Scholars Irish Lyrics English Meaning
The lyrics dive into themes of resistance and community. One line, ‘Getting guns with American dollars,’ highlights the group’s commentary on historical struggles. Kneecap uses vivid descriptions of police chases and neighborhood tensions to tell a story of resilience.
Mhúscail sibh an fáthach, ní duine maslach mé, but I’m past thatYou awakened the giant, I’m not an insulting person, but I’m past that.
Ár n-athair atá lán de agro, f#can fág na c#nts mar creatlachOur father who is full of aggression, f#cking leave the c#nts as a skeleton.
Níl mé ach ag magadhI’m only joking.
Get me back on the leash, madadhGet me back on the leash, dog.
Embarrassed the police, the magistrates, the prosecution agus an BhreitheamhEmbarrassed the police, the magistrates, the prosecution, and the judge.
I’ll never learn my lessonI’ll never learn my lesson.
Always be government’s obsessionAlways be the government’s obsession.
Talk of the town when I’m walking around, tá do mháthair gafa liom freisinTalk of the town when I’m walking around, your mother is obsessed with me too.
Calling mé sceimhleitheoir, never heard that said beforeCalling me a terrorist, never heard that said before.
Buíochas le dia gur luaigh sibh sin liom, I’d mostly been lying in bed beforeThank God you mentioned that to me, I’d mostly been lying in bed before.
Smugglers and scholarsSmugglers and scholars.
Getting guns with American dollarsGetting guns with American dollars.
Did it before, do it again, no botherDid it before, do it again, no bother.
Don’t need your help with internal mattersDon’t need your help with internal matters.
Smugglers and scholarsSmugglers and scholars.
Getting guns with American dollarsGetting guns with American dollars.
Did it before, do it again, no botherDid it before, do it again, no bother.
Don’t need your help with internal mattersDon’t need your help with internal matters.
Níl faic a dhéanann muidinne nios fearrThere’s nothing we do better.
Scrios ar an rialtas ó bun go barrDestroy the government from bottom to top.
Ar fad in sa stair Éirí amach gach glúinThroughout history, there’s a rising every generation.
Ní luíonn muid sios ró éasca, ciúinWe don’t lie down easily or stay quiet.
Let me bring it all back to the startLet me bring it all back to the start.
In sa cheantar seo you’re gonna go farIn this area, you’re gonna go far.
Má léirionn tú meas do na daoine ar fadIf you show respect to all the people,
A tháinig romhat agus a d’imigh tríd sladwho came before you and went through the slaughter,
A mhair tríd an ifreann thanks be to godwho survived the hell, thanks be to God,
‘Cause na sé chontae was an awful slog‘Cause the six counties was an awful slog.
Is muid an drúcht geal ceo ag cuir i gcuimhne dóWe are the bright morning mist reminding them,
Go n-éirionn an fhuiseog beo in sa cheolthat the lark comes alive in the music.
ÉistListen.
Is gan dabhtAnd without a doubt.
Bhí muid fágtha le cnoc an anfaWe were left with the mountain of the storm.
Thit se anuas and nai we’re laughin’It fell down, and now we’re laughin’.
Got it all nai and we started with nathinGot it all now, and we started with nothing.
Smugglers and scholarsSmugglers and scholars.
Getting guns with American dollarsGetting guns with American dollars.
Did it before, do it again, no botherDid it before, do it again, no bother.
Don’t need your help with internal mattersDon’t need your help with internal matters.
Smugglers and scholarsSmugglers and scholars.
Getting guns with American dollarsGetting guns with American dollars.
Did it before, do it again, no botherDid it before, do it again, no bother.
Don’t need your help with internal mattersDon’t need your help with internal matters.
Soilse gorma sa tsráidBlue lights in the street.
Cuirfidh muid glaoch ar na baisWe’ll call on the boys.
Iad siúd atá i gceannas no liesThe ones who are in charge, no lies.
Anois tá teannas outsideNow there’s tension outside
But the neighbours are wiseBut the neighbours are wise
Staying put ’cause they’re not no spiesStaying put ’cause they’re not no spies
Ingearán thuas it’s now doing lapsHelicopter above, it’s now doing laps
Thart anseo níl trust do na copsAround here there’s no trust for the cops
And the boys in black at the shopsAnd the boys in black at the shops
With petrol bombs and their favourite rocksWith petrol bombs and their favourite rocks
Is breá liom mo phobailI love my community
Still keep my head down, suas le mo chochallStill keep my head down, hood up
Siúil taobh sráide, movements subtleWalk along the street side, movements subtle
Man of a few words, cúplá focalMan of a few words, a couple of words
You think it’s all poetry and cloversYou think it’s all poetry and clovers
When it’s raincoats and police Land RoversWhen it’s raincoats and police Land Rovers
Salt of the earth, looking over their shoulderSalt of the earth, looking over their shoulder
Someone shot in turf, chopper hovering overSomeone shot in turf, chopper hovering over
Seo Fenian gluaiseachtThis is a Fenian movement
Coinnigh gach rud druidte seachas cluasaKeep everything shut except your ears
Joyriders déanamh scrios ar ghluaisteáinJoyriders destroying cars
Ceantar seo thuas seal, thíos sealThis area is up a while, down a while
It’s not Catchphrase, don’t say what you seeIt’s not Catchphrase, don’t say what you see
Splinter groups ag an doras san oíchSplinter groups at the door at night
They won’t need warrant they won’t need keysThey won’t need warrant they won’t need keys
‘Cause they’ve got an appointment with your son’s knees‘Cause they’ve got an appointment with your son’s knees
Smugglers and scholarsSmugglers and scholars
Getting guns with American dollarsGetting guns with American dollars
Did it before, do it again, no botherDid it before, do it again, no bother
Don’t need your help with internal mattersDon’t need your help with internal matters
Smugglers and scholarsSmugglers and scholars
Getting guns with American dollarsGetting guns with American dollars
Did it before, do it again, no botherDid it before, do it again, no bother
Don’t need your help with internal mattersDon’t need your help with internal matters
Smugglers & Scholars Music Video
‘Smugglers & Scholars’ is a bold anthem about defiance and unity. Kneecap’s lyrics explore themes of rebellion, making it a standout track in modern Irish hip-hop.