… Read Full Bio ↴Colour Revolt is an American indie rock band from Jackson, Mississippi.
Colour Revolt's members first played together while they were high school students at Jackson Academy in Jackson, MS under the name Foxxe, then changing to Fletcher and releasing a full length entitled "Friends Don't Speak". They then moved on to become college students at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi. They take their current name from Edwin Abbott's mathematical novel, Flatland.
The group had intended to record their first EP in Mississippi in August of 2005, but Hurricane Katrina interrupted the recording session, and so they recorded it in the house of local label Esperanza Plantation's owner. The self-titled EP came out in December of 2005; following this the group toured with Brand New and signed to Interscope Records, who re-released the EP on their subsidiary Tiny Evil in October 2006.
The group has also performed at SXSW and toured with Dinosaur Jr., Black Lips, Okkervil River, Menomena, Paper Rival, Explosions in the Sky, Malajube, Anathallo, and Manchester Orchestra.
They then signed with Fat Possum Records; their full-length debut, produced by Clay Jones, was released on April 1, 2008. In 2008, Boston newspaper The Phoenix named them the Best New Band from Mississippi.
Jesse Coppenbarger - vocals, guitar, keyboard
Sean Kirkpatrick. - vocals, guitar, keyboards
Former
Len Clark - drums, vocals
Drew Mellon - bass
Patrick Addison - bass
Jimmy Cajoleas - guitar
Shovel to Ground
Colour Revolt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's the son of the sea and the witch from within
He's pushing it out
Putting shovel to ground
Better hide what you've found
And put the shovel to ground
I expect another red scare
Another rip in the scar, another tear from within
And put the shovel to ground
Get it worked out
Add even if they won't call
Dark winds call you there
They call you there
And god you know you got sucked up in hype
But all the screaming turns to static in the whistles of night
And even if they won't call
Dark winds call you there
They call you there
The lyrics to Colour Revolt's song Shovel to Ground speak of a prophet who is associated with the minor chord, which in music theory is generally considered the sadder or more melancholic chord. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for someone who sees the darker side of life, and is perhaps not well understood by those around them. The prophet is described as being the son of the sea and the witch from within, which could suggest a connection to the subconscious, or a personal sense of spirituality that is not necessarily tied to traditional religion.
The prophet is pushing something out and putting the shovel to ground, which can be interpreted as a call to action or a commitment to hard work. However, there is also a sense of secrecy and danger implied when the lyrics urge the listener to "hide what you've found". This is followed by a prediction of another "red scare", which is likely a reference to the anticommunist paranoia that gripped the US during the Cold War. The tearing down of society is mentioned again, before the lyrics return to the idea of someone being called by dark winds to some unknown destination.
Overall, the lyrics to Shovel to Ground can be seen as a commentary on the current state of the world, with its social and political upheavals, but also as a call to action for those who hear the call of something deeper and more meaningful.
Line by Line Meaning
He's a prophet for the minor chord
He is perceptive when it comes to sadness and melancholy, as symbolized by music in the minor key.
He's the son of the sea and the witch from within
He comes from a tumultuous environment, where water can be both nurturing and dangerous. He's also driven by inner demons that he can't control, much like a witch.
He's pushing it out
He's trying to express his feelings, but it's not easy.
Putting shovel to ground
He's digging up something he wants to keep hidden, possibly a painful memory or a shameful secret.
Better hide what you've found
He wants to keep this discovery for himself, as it might reveal too much about him or the people involved.
And put the shovel to ground
He's determined to keep this secret buried, no matter what happens.
I expect another red scare
He's anticipating another wave of paranoia and fear, like the one that happened during the Cold War.
Another rip in the scar, another tear from within
He expects this event to reopen old wounds and create new ones, causing more suffering and pain.
To tear us all down
He fears that this event will lead to a bigger conflict or tragedy, with devastating consequences.
And put the shovel to ground
He'll be forced to hide more things that could harm him or his loved ones.
Get it worked out
He wants to understand what's happening and how he can deal with it.
Add even if they won't call
He will keep trying to communicate and reach out, even if he's ignored or rejected.
Dark winds call you there
He's drawn to danger and uncertainty, like a moth to a flame.
They call you there
He can't resist the temptation and the thrill of the unknown.
And god you know you got sucked up in hype
He's aware that he's been influenced by others and that he might have made some bad decisions.
But all the screaming turns to static in the whistles of night
He realizes that all the noise and the commotion around him are meaningless and futile, especially when faced with the vastness of the universe.
And even if they won't call
He's still hoping for a connection or a resolution, despite the odds.
Dark winds call you there
He can't help himself and keeps being attracted to the unknown, even if it's dangerous.
They call you there
He feels compelled to explore, even if he's risking everything.
Contributed by Liam W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.