By the early '80s, bands like Sham 69, the Angelic Upstarts, and the Cockney Rejects had transformed the working-class punk sensibility into a Cockney-dominated subgenre dubbed Oi! As early progenitors of the scene, Cock Sparrer was in demand once again, especially after their song "Sunday Stripper" appeared on an Oi! compilation. They began gigging again and quickly landed a record deal, resulting in the 1982 hit single "England Belongs to Me," which struck a chord during the middle of the Falklands War. Cock Sparrer's official U.K. debut album, Shock Troops, was also released in 1982 and became a long-standing Oi! favorite. Guitarist Beaufoy left the band in 1983 and was replaced by the tandem of Chris Skepis (rhythm) and Shug O'Neill (lead). This lineup recorded the follow-up album, 1984's Runnin' Riot in '84, but Skepis and O'Neill both departed shortly thereafter. Beaufoy rejoined briefly for the Live & Loud album, released in 1987, but disagreements within the band and (again) with their record company precipitated another breakup.
In late 1992, Cock Sparrer was invited to play a reunion gig at the Astoria, near Charing Cross. The appearance of over 2,000 fans stunned the band into a full-fledged reunion, featuring the original quartet of McFaull, Beaufoy, Burgess, and Bruce, plus new rhythm guitarist Daryl Smith. In early 1994, Cock Sparrer released Guilty as Charged, their first album of all-new material in a decade. The odds-and-ends EP Run Away followed in 1995, featuring live and studio recordings; the proper follow-up to Guilty as Charged, Two Monkeys, was released in 1997, with rumors that it would be the band's last album featuring all new material. A spate of compilations and live recordings followed during the next few years, with the band continuing to tour extensively, hitting the U.S. in 2000.
Too Late
Cock Sparrer Lyrics
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To earn another pound, to pay another loan
Face to the grindstone, neck on the line
Killing himself, just to pass time
Hour after hour, watching the clock
Grafting hard with his head on the block
Loyal to the end, the old school way
But it counts for nothing nowadays
We'll all look back in the future
At where it all went wrong
We'll all sit around arguing
About people now long gone
We'll all have the answers over a pint
And opinions to debate
But there's not a lot of point in talking about it
By then it will be too late
They closed down the factory it's cheaper abroad
Fat cats paid so they couldn't afford
To put food on the table of the family man
Forty years service, no pension plan
His life's on hold, his shattered dreams
Empty thoughts and what might have beens
No money, no future, no work, no hope
No chance to think, he just couldn't cope
We'll all look back in the future
At where it all went wrong
We'll all sit around arguing
About people now long gone
We'll all have the answers over a pint
And opinions to debate
But there's not a lot of point in talking about it
By then it will be too late
Tomorrow will be too late [x4]
To be waiting at the factory gate
Said we'll all look back in the future
At where it all went wrong
We'll all sit around arguing
About people now long gone
We'll all have the answers over a pint
And opinions to debate
But there's not a lot of point in talking about it
By then it will be too late
The song Too Late by Cock Sparrer is a heart-wrenching ballad about the plight of the working class. The first verse highlights the daily struggles of a man who works hard to pay off his debts, but ultimately has little to show for it. He works tirelessly day in and day out, but in the end, his loyalty and hard work go unrewarded. This verse provides a commentary on the harsh realities of capitalism, where those who work the hardest often receive the least reward.
The second verse focuses on the plight of the family man who has been left behind by a global economy that favors cheap labor abroad over the hardworking men and women in the UK. The closing of the factory has left many without pensions, job security, or any chance of building a future for themselves. The singer is left with shattered dreams and no hope for the future. This verse highlights the impact of globalization and automation on the working class.
The chorus of the song is a poignant reminder that we will all have regrets about the past and "where it all went wrong" but by then it will be too late to change the past or make things right. It is a statement about the importance of living in the moment and taking action when change is still possible.
Overall, the song Too Late is a song that speaks to the struggles of the working-class in the UK and the impact of globalization and automation on their lives. The lyrics provide a commentary on the harsh realities of capitalism and the need for urgent action to address the issues that are impacting the working-class.
Line by Line Meaning
Day after day fingers to the bone
Every single day, he works so hard that his fingers are sore and aching.
To earn another pound, to pay another loan
He works just to earn money to pay off his loan.
Face to the grindstone, neck on the line
He's working under pressure and with great effort, but also carrying a lot of responsibility and risk.
Killing himself, just to pass time
He's working so hard it feels like he's sacrificing himself, and he has nothing else to do but work to fill his time.
Hour after hour, watching the clock
Working long shifts and constantly checking the time, hoping to finish soon.
Grafting hard with his head on the block
Working extremely hard, while conscious of the consequences if he fails or doesn't meet his targets.
Loyal to the end, the old school way
He's committed to his job and values a traditional, hardworking approach.
But it counts for nothing nowadays
Despite his hard work and loyalty, these values aren't rewarded in today's society or economy.
They closed down the factory, it's cheaper abroad
The factory he worked at shut down and moved production overseas, where labor and production costs are lower.
Fat cats paid so they couldn't afford
The wealthy owners of the factory decided to close it down to make more money, without concern for the employees' livelihoods.
To put food on the table of the family man
He's the sole provider for his family, and losing his job means they won't have enough to eat.
Forty years service, no pension plan
Despite working at the factory for 40 years, he never received a pension plan and has no financial security in his old age.
His life's on hold, his shattered dreams
His life has come to a standstill, and his hopes and aspirations have been destroyed.
Empty thoughts and what might have beens
He's left to contemplate what his life could have been if the factory never closed down and if he had received better treatment.
No money, no future, no work, no hope
Without a job or financial stability, he feels lost and without any prospect for the future.
No chance to think, he just couldn't cope
He's so overwhelmed by his situation that he can't even have space to process or think about it.
Tomorrow will be too late
If action is not taken soon, there won't be any opportunity to fix things in the future.
By then it will be too late
Once things have reached a certain point, there won't be anything that can be done to change the outcome.
Contributed by Ethan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Andrew Cahill
Lyrics are everything
Fontana
Loyal to the end, the old school way But it counts for nothing nowadays
Logan Colwell
Fontana such a good line!!
A solid truth!!!
Anne Fresse
bombe , die hauen auch einen hit nach dem anderen raus . nur geile lieder
OI from HAMBURG
PAWEL PIECHON
Jak dla mnie nie maja sobie rownych :) Po prostu sa zywa legenda i mimo swoich lat dziadki nie odpuszczaja daja rade Oi!!!
TheBudbuzz
DRINK! DRINK! DRINK! AND WORK!
Barbara Mirci
being loyal means nothing nowdays
Andrews Leal
Oi! From Santa Catarina southern Brazil!!
massy caputi
✋🏻🖤🥰🥰🥰
Vince Tortolano
14 BEAUTIFUL WORDS