The band formed in Adelaide in 1973 as a heavy metal band called Orange around keyboard player Don Walker and original bassist Les Kascmarek and while hard rock remained at the core of their sound Cold Chisel displayed a remarkable versatility. When Kascmarek left in 1975, Walker became the major creative force of the band. Built around Walker's superb songwriting, the group also featured the dazzling guitar and vocal talents of Ian Moss and the enormously powerful lead vocals of Scottish immigrant Jimmy Barnes.
While typically classified as a hard-driving rock and roll band, the Chisel repertoire included such Australian anthems as the landmark Vietnam War song "Khe Sanh", "Bow River", "Flame Trees" and "Saturday Night", but also included thoughtful ballads like "Choir Girl" (written about the subject of abortion), pop-flavoured love songs like "My Baby" and caustic political statements like "Star Hotel", an attack on the late-70s government of Malcolm Fraser and inspired by a riot at a Newcastle pub. The music was not political in context, however Walker's songs were observations of everyday life within the Australian society and culture. One song from this period, "Misfits", which featured on the b-side to "My Baby", was written in the same vein as Chuck Berry, and was about homeless kids in the suburbs surrounding Sydney.
Cold Chisel weren't just a band, they were a lifestyle for many of their followers, who were known as some of the roughest in the land. This gave Chisel their hard living approach to their music and made them a tough live band as well. More than 30 years after they originally played together, they attract generation after generation of new listeners. This is also evidence of Chisel's dominance of the pub rock era. They are the only Australian band to have sold more records after breakup than before and are among other bands that have become transgenerational. "Khe Sanh" consistently ranks highly in lists of Australia's most popular songs and their music remains a staple of rock station playlists. The Ian Moss song "Never Before" (from the East LP) was chosen by FM rock station 2JJJ (Triple Jay) as the first record played on-air when the station made its transition from AM to FM in 1980.
By 1983 the band had reached the zenith of their career in Australia and with overseas markets reluctant to accept them, Cold Chisel began to disintegrate. Their abortive US sojourn was commemorated in Barnes' excoriating rocker "You Got Nothing I Want" from the Circus Animals album, an emotional volume created from the frustration of the band’s experiences overseas.
Increasing internal tensions and the pressures of touring took their toll and Steve Prestwich -- who was often in conflict with Barnes -- left the band, to be replaced by veteran Australian drummer Ray Arnott (ex Spectrum). Shortly afterward, in 1984, Cold Chisel announced their split and a series of farewell concerts, for which Prestwich re-joined. That tour became a legend in itself and was not without incident when Barnes lost his voice before the Sydney shows, which then had to be rescheduled. The band's final performance was filmed for the documentary concert film The Last Stand, which remains to this day the best-selling concert film of any single Australian act.
In mid 2011 the group announced a series of upcoming concerts.
Mr. Crown Prosecutor
Cold Chisel Lyrics
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No matter what I say or do
You take money, to put whatever
May be the opposite view
What you see, is what I am
I will always be, an honest man
Mr. Crown Prosecutor, raise my hand
I can't say the same about you
Mr. Crown Prosecutor, go down now
I'll show you where your children play
The deep shit they get to play with
And the people that they've got to pay
I got caught, in a traffic jam
A girl on the street, with a chain of command
Goin' up through the city
To the government of the day
Mr. Crown Prosecutor, raise my hand
The hands of a fish so small
You know, if it wasn't so
I wouldn't be here at all
What you see, is what I am
I will always be, an honest man
Lost in the blind stupidity of it all
Mr. Crown Prosecutor, go down now
I'll show you where your children play
The deep shit they get to play with
And the people they've got to pay
But Mr. Crown Prosecutor, if you look
You'll find where it tells it to ya in this book
How the vine by the well
Gotta branch out over the wall
The song "Mr. Crown Prosecutor" by Cold Chisel is a commentary on the brutality of the legal system and corruption within it. The lyrics describe the singer's frustration with the prosecutor who takes money to argue against his innocence despite being aware of it. The singer calls out the prosecutor and questions his integrity: "What you see, is what I am. I will always be, an honest man. Mr. Crown Prosecutor, raise my hand. I can't say the same about you." The mention of children in the second verse highlights how those in power often fail to consider the impact of their actions on the innocent.
The line "Lost in the blind stupidity of it all" suggests that the system is flawed beyond repair and that those caught up in it are victims of a system that is beyond their control. The repeated lines "Mr. Crown Prosecutor, go down now. I'll show you where your children play. The deep shit they get to play with. And the people they've got to pay" drive home the point that serious consequences ripple out from the actions of those in power, and that the prosecutor is not untouchable.
Overall, "Mr. Crown Prosecutor" is a powerful song that speaks to the frustration and helplessness people can feel within a legal system that is often far from just. It highlights the corruption and cruelty that can occur when those in power are not held accountable and compassion is disregarded.
Line by Line Meaning
Mr. Crown Prosecutor
The singer addresses the Crown Prosecutor.
No matter what I say or do
The Crown Prosecutor will take money to argue against the singer's beliefs.
You take money, to put whatever
The Crown Prosecutor is willing to argue the opposite side for a price.
May be the opposite view
No matter what the artist says or does, the Crown Prosecutor will argue against them.
What you see, is what I am
The artist is always honest.
I will always be, an honest man
The singer will never change who they are.
Mr. Crown Prosecutor, raise my hand
The singer will take an honest oath before the Crown Prosecutor.
I can't say the same about you
The artist believes that the Crown Prosecutor is not honest.
Mr. Crown Prosecutor, go down now
The artist invites the Crown Prosecutor to investigate the poor living conditions of the artist's community.
I'll show you where your children play
The artist offers to show the Crown Prosecutor the harsh realities faced by their community's children.
The deep shit they get to play with
The children of the community are forced to deal with difficult and unpleasant circumstances.
And the people that they've got to pay
The people in the community are forced to pay for these difficult circumstances.
I got caught, in a traffic jam
The singer faces everyday problems just like anyone else.
A girl on the street, with a chain of command
The singer sees a young girl who is likely being exploited by those in power.
Goin' up through the city
The girl is connected to powerful people in the community.
To the government of the day
The girl is connected to the current ruling government.
The hands of a fish so small
The artist feels helpless and insignificant compared to the Crown Prosecutor's power.
You know, if it wasn't so
If the singer had more power, they wouldn't be in this position.
Lost in the blind stupidity of it all
The singer is overwhelmed by the unfairness and ignorance of the situation.
But Mr. Crown Prosecutor, if you look
The artist tells the Crown Prosecutor to pay attention.
You'll find where it tells it to ya in this book
There is evidence in the law to support the artist's claims.
How the vine by the well
A metaphor for how things can spread and branch out.
Gotta branch out over the wall
The singer encourages justice to spread beyond the limitations of the legal system.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DONALD WALKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind