A poem about Elvis, written by U2 frontman Bono, was accompanied by a warning about offensive language when it was aired for the first time this morning.

The poem, entitled American David, was written in 1994, but only recorded by the singer two years ago.

Bono, a life-long Elvis fan, describes the late singer as a "genius" and a "pharoah-like" figure.

But he also uses a number of offensive words in the poem, which was written as a tribute to the legendary star.

In one rhyming triplet about Elvis's weight battle, Bono says: “Elvis the bumper stickers/ Elvis the white knickers/ Elvis the white nigger ate at Burger King and just kept getting bigger.”

The U2 singer also makes reference to Elvis's dance moves in another line: “Elvis the ecstatic/ Elvis the plastic/ Elvis the elastic with a spastic dance that could explain the energy of America.”

Bono is believed to have produced the poem spontaneously at the end of a radio interview he gave to Des Shaw two years ago.

Previously, it had appeared in an issue of a fan-only U2 magazine, which was published in 1995.

(by Jason Gregory)