Time for Heroes
"Time for Heroes" is a song by English rock band the Libertines, and is featured on their debut album, Up the Bracket. It was released 13 January 2003 as the second single from that album, placing at #20 in the UK Singles Chart (see 2003 in British music). The song is based on singer/guitarist Pete Doherty's experiences and police brutality at the London May Day Riots of 2000.
Background
Writing under the name Heavyhorse to fans on the Libertines web forum about the song, Doherty explained the meaning behind the lyric "wombles bleed, truncheons and shields":
"The 'wombles' were a revolutionary sect from the era of the Mayday riots in the year 2000. They were rioters who all dressed up like wombles from the t.v series, including tinfoil shields and wobbly truncheons, mimicking the riot police. There were about 12 of them, but they had many enthusiastic disciples."
Release
Aside from being released in three different versions in the UK, the single was released as a six track EP in Japan, featuring the music video for "Time for Heroes" as well.
Time For
There's a time to play and there's a time for sex
There's a time to lounge and there's a time to catch wreck
Watch your spot, cause if you sleep you'll get got
Our sound is hot cause we're true to hip-hop
It's the little big man, y'all little niggas just relax
I'm coming like a nut, butt niggas catching heart attacks
Adversaries better maintain
Don't even riff, stram, cause I'm a one-man gangbang
Boom, I hit it, now money I really did it
Brung out the beast in me, and the freaks be getting with it
Yes the fame is what they sweat
But you came for me to entertain then I'll make you wet
Meanwhile, got to keep a low profile
Our style is true, so yes I do smile
Original, just like the Dirty Rotten
And while our foes is plotting, Show is riding shotgun
There's a time to play and there's a time for sex
There's a time to lounge and there's a time to catch wreck
Watch your spot, cause if you sleep you'll get got
Our sound is hot cause we're true to hip-hop
Since I hit the boom, they say my brain is doomed
I object, it's sustained, now name this tune
Bringing more than other brothers on computers
Long as my vision ain't blurry, don't worry, pass the buddhas
Forget karate, cause I'd rather kick a lyric
You ain't trying to hear it? Then I'll be talking to your spirit
Show hit me off with the hype shit
Who needs pencils and papers? Brain cells is what I write with
The format, told you last LP I'm all that
Step to A.G., then you're best to be sure, black
Roll with my crew, I got the O.E.
20 dollar sack, and my hat to the back just like TLC
Now when you play, it'd better not be with Show and Dre
Or sex in between the sheets at my rest
Now it's time to lounge and I'm free from all clowns
Now who's catching wreck? I hit the cess, yes
There's a time to play and there's a time for sex
There's a time to lounge and there's a time to catch wreck
Watch your spot, cause if you sleep you'll get got
Our sound is hot cause we're true to hip-hop
I get rough and I hurt 'em like a puff of the ganja
Tough like Tonka, you'll get seen by the Jolly Green
Monster, the G sell out? Hell no
A good fellow who sports the shell toes
Step to me, I'll shoot you and your deputy
Everybody's in jeopardy except for me
They pop shit, like their skills I can't top it
I'm the one to rock with, lounge and pop some chocolate
I'm coming through, so what you gonna do?
When I hit you in the head with the lead from the number 2
A black boo, leaving suckers froze like a statue