When Belfast rap trio KNEECAP dropped C.E.A.R.T.A, it wasn’t just another track—it was a cultural bombshell. Fans rushed online searching for KNEECAP – C.E.A.R.T.A lyrics, trying to decode the mix of Gaeilge, slang, and raw political energy.
So what makes C.E.A.R.T.A stand out? It’s not just the beat. It’s the unapologetic use of Irish in a modern, rebellious soundscape—and the way the lyrics turn “language rights” into a chant for cultural survival.
At Gaeilgeoir AI, we see this as gold for learners: a mash-up of art, activism, and authentic vocabulary.
Watch: KNEECAP – C.E.A.R.T.A
Full KNEECAP – C.E.A.R.T.A Lyrics with Translations
[Verse 1]
Foc mí, ní fhaca mé na bastairdí
(F me, I didn’t see the bastards)
Carr dubh ina bhfolach ar ár mullach is iad taobh istigh
(A black car hiding above us with them inside)
Seans ar bith, go bhfaighidh siad mo mhála MD
(No chance they’ll find my bag of MD)
Mar tá cóisir ann anocht ‘s níl fáilte roimh an RUC
(There’s a party tonight and the RUC aren’t welcome)
Is gan dabht, tá mise ar bís
(And without doubt, I’m buzzing)
Le dul síos ar an snaois arís ‘s arís
(To go down on the snuff again and again)
Agus fuair mé mála mór ket in ionad mo chíos
(And I got a big bag of ket instead of paying my rent)
[Chorus]
C-E-A-R-T-A / Is cuma liom sa foc faoi aon gharda
(C.E.A.R.T.A / I don’t give a f*** about any guard)
Dúidín lasta, tá mise ró-ghasta
(Joint lit, I’m too quick)
Ní fheicfidh tú mise i mo sheasamh ró-fhada
(You won’t see me standing too long)
[Verse 2]
Dúirt mé leat cheana, seo an chúis le Balaclava
(I told you already, this is the reason for a balaclava)
Is féidir siúil ar shiúil, ‘s ní aithneoidh siad tada
(You can walk on by, and they won’t recognize anything)
Tá ‘gear’ is fearr in iarthar Bhéal Feirste againn le fada
(We’ve had the best gear in West Belfast for a long time)
Ag teacht isteach go ciúin fríd shléibhte Chonamara
(Coming in quietly through the mountains of Connemara)
Ag cóisireacht le Tinky Winky agus Seamus Barra
(Partying with Tinky Winky and Seamus Barra)
Díolaim snaois le do Mhamó, do mhac ‘is do chara
(I sell snuff to your granny, your son, and your friend)
[Verse 3]
Raithneach dleathach in focan Éire aontaithe
(Legal weed in a f***ing united Ireland)
Tá tú ag labhairt le Kneecap is cuma linn sa tsioc
(You’re talking to Kneecap, and we don’t give a f***)
Brisim achan riail, seachas focan caol le caol
(I break every rule, except the f***ing “slender with slender” [grammar rule])
[Chorus – Repeated]
C-E-A-R-T-A / Is cuma liom sa foc faoi aon gharda
Dúidín lasta, tá mise ró-ghasta
Ní fheicfidh tú mise i mo sheasamh ró-fhada
(C.E.A.R.T.A / I don’t give a f*** about any guard
Joint lit, I’m too quick
You won’t see me standing too long)
Irish Phrases in C.E.A.R.T.A: What They Teach Learners
Here are some takeaways for Gaeilge learners from the song:
| Irish Phrase | Translation | Learning Point |
|---|---|---|
| Ní fhaca mé | “I didn’t see” | Past tense of feic (to see). |
| Níl fáilte roimh | “Not welcome” | Handy phrase for social/political contexts. |
| Gan dabht | “Without doubt” | Common colloquial expression. |
| Ní fheicfidh tú | “You won’t see” | Future tense structure. |
| Caol le caol | “Slender with slender” | A classic Irish grammar rule referenced in slang. |
This is Kneecap’s signature move: making Irish sound alive, sharp, and street-ready. For learners, the KNEECAP – C.E.A.R.T.A lyrics double as a crash course in everyday phrases layered with political meaning.
What Is C.E.A.R.T.A All About?
Think of it like this: C.E.A.R.T.A is part protest, part party, part manifesto. The song throws light on:
- Language activism – demanding equal rights for Irish speakers.
- Street culture – embedding Gaeilge in nightlife, rebellion, and youth identity.
- Community power – reminding listeners that Irish isn’t dead; it’s loud and unapologetic.
When you dive into the KNEECAP – C.E.A.R.T.A lyrics, you’re not just reading words—you’re stepping into a movement where music and language collide.
Irish Phrases in C.E.A.R.T.A: What They Mean
For learners, songs like this are hidden lessons. Here are a few gems:
- Cearta = Rights → a great vocab word with strong emotional weight.
- Níl muid ciúin níos mó = We’re not silent anymore → shows how Irish expresses solidarity.
- An Ghaeilge beo = The Irish language alive → a phrase tied to revival and pride.
This is what makes Kneecap so important: they don’t just use Irish; they make it feel urgent.
Pronunciation: Making the Lyrics Flow
Irish can feel intimidating on the page—but hearing it in rap changes everything. Words get clipped, sped up, and blended into rhythm.
Take cearta. Slowly, it’s “KYAR-tuh.” In the track, it’s spat with urgency—short, sharp, a rallying sound.
Want to practice getting these flows right? Our Irish Pronunciation Guide is a perfect resource.
Why Kneecap Matters for Irish Learners
Kneecap aren’t classroom teachers—they’re cultural disruptors. But that’s exactly why they matter for learners:
- Normalizing Irish – showing how people actually code-switch in real life.
- Making it cool – Irish becomes part of nightlife and rebellion.
- Creating access points – fans discover Gaeilge through the lyrics they love.
Searching for KNEECAP – C.E.A.R.T.A lyrics isn’t just about fandom. It’s a first step into a living, breathing language.
How to Use C.E.A.R.T.A Lyrics in Your Study Routine
Here’s a five-step hack to turn this track into a personal lesson:
- Listen without reading – let the rhythm sink in.
- Read the lyrics with translations – note key Irish words.
- Repeat lines out loud – copy Kneecap’s pace and accent.
- Create flashcards – add phrases like cearta and níl muid ciúin níos mó.
- Freestyle practice – swap in your own Irish vocab over the beat.
Pro tip: with Gaeilgeoir AI, you can paste phrases from lyrics into our platform, generate vocab lists, and practice pronunciation instantly.
C.E.A.R.T.A, Identity, and Rebellion
Critics often call Kneecap controversial, but that’s part of their power. By rapping in Gaeilge, they’re reclaiming a space where the language was often silenced.
It’s their way of saying: Irish isn’t only for Gaeltacht classrooms or dusty textbooks—it belongs in the streets, the clubs, the chants of youth.
That’s language revival in action.
From Lyrics to Learning
The KNEECAP – C.E.A.R.T.A lyrics are messy, loud, and political—exactly what Irish needs to feel alive again. For learners, it’s not just music; it’s an invitation to grab the words, join the rhythm, and make Gaeilge your own.
Ready to bring music into your learning toolkit? Start your Irish journey with Gaeilgeoir AI—where culture meets AI-powered practice.
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