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.
Will You
Cock Sparrer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A misunderstanding with the law
But I can handle doing time
If I know you'll still be mine
And when they say they're gonna have to lock me in
I'll look in the gallery for you
And if you're there I'll know I'll take it on the chin
Will you save yourself for me?
Will you, Will you?
Will you save yourself for me?
The evidence is harsh but true
And they'll do what they have to do
But they think I just cheat and lie
But you've seen my creative
And if I get buggered by Mr BIG in the shower
Or if I hit a screw and lose my visitor's rights
Will you still remain my little flower?
Will you wait for me on the other side?
Will you save yourself for me?
Will you, Will you?
Will you save yourself for me?
And when they say they're gonna have to lock me in
I'll look in the gallery for you
And if you're there I'll know I'll take it on the chin
If you'll wait for me, I can see it through
Will you save yourself for me?
Cos I've gotta wait for you
The song 'Will You' by Cock Sparrer tells a story of a man who is going to prison for a year or more due to a misunderstanding with the law. He is asking his lover if she will remain faithful to him while he serves his time, despite the harsh evidence against him. He says he can handle doing time if she will still be his when he gets out. The lyrics convey the emotional turmoil of separation and the fear of losing the one you love.
The song touches on the idea of loyalty and commitment in a relationship, even in the face of adversity. The lyrics suggest that despite the difficulties that may be encountered, the man believes that his partner will save herself for him, remaining true to their love. The song also touches on the harsh realities of prison life, including the possibility of sexual assault by other inmates.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm going down for a year or more
I am going to serve a prison sentence for at least a year
A misunderstanding with the law
I have been wrongly accused by the authorities
But I can handle doing time
I can endure being in jail
If I know you'll still be mine
If you promise to stay with me during my sentence
And when they say they're gonna have to lock me in
When the authorities say they have to imprison me
I'll look in the gallery for you
I will search for you among the visitors in the jail's gallery
And if you're there I'll know I'll take it on the chin
If you are present, I will accept my punishment without protest
If you'll wait for me, I can see it through
If you promise to wait for me, I can serve my sentence
Will you save yourself for me?
Will you remain faithful to me while I am in prison?
The evidence is harsh but true
The proof against me is incriminating and accurate
And they'll do what they have to do
The authorities will fulfill their duty to punish me
But they think I just cheat and lie
They believe I am dishonest and deceitful
But you've seen my creative
You know that I am imaginative and original
And if I get buggered by Mr BIG in the shower
And if I am sexually assaulted by a fellow prisoner in the shower
Or if I hit a screw and lose my visitor's rights
Or if I get into a fight with a guard and am denied visitation privileges
Will you still remain my little flower?
Will you continue to be my devoted partner despite the challenges?
Will you wait for me on the other side?
Will you meet me when I am released from prison?
Cos I've gotta wait for you
Because I am committed to waiting for you
Contributed by Lily T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Peter Clarke
Cracking track
tedi babank
Hai...can you type the lyrics??
Just like and subs your channel...
If you got time to put the lyrics... thanks
Legion Of Kinsmen
CANNOCK SKINS. Oi! Oi! 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
David Hawkins
This is a very important question. Oi !!!