Although Barney, like the rest of the band, acquired quite a few German phrases after the Dubliners had been touring there for a number of years, it seems that early on his mastery of the language was patchy, to say the least.
As the Dubliners were preparing with great anticipation for their first German tour, a lady friend of Barney’s asked him if he’d take her along for the trip.
"Ah no", said Barney, "I don’t think so. Sure I’ll be chasin’ the Fluorines."