Downway was a melodic skate punk band from Calgary, Alberta, Canada that la… Read Full Bio ↴Downway was a melodic skate punk band from Calgary, Alberta, Canada that lasted from 1995 until 2003. As soon as the band was formed, they began playing in bars around Calgary at age 18 and 19 and quickly released their first CD. Immediately afterward, they began touring around Canada and the U.S. They were quickly noticed for their intensive touring and ended up on the opening slot of tours that featured Death By Stereo, Good Riddance, Diesel Boy, BigWig and eventually travelled on the Warped Tour.

After five full-length releases, one split, several tours and three record labels, Downway collectively decided to end their career, as band members wanted to get married and start 'normal' careers.

Discography
"Downway Is As Downway Does" (Hourglass Records, 1995)
"Kacknacker" (206 Records, 1998)
"Never Be Clever Again" (206 Records, 2000)
"Defeat Songs" (Sessions Records, 2001)
"Hometown Advantage" - Split with Belvedere (Sessions Records/Union Group 2003)

www.myspace.com/downway

Chapter 1
Downway Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

So let me set the mood for you
A dark and smoky clouded room
Where four men are about to find
The essence of whats on the line
The end result of whats begun
Resting on the words they have not sung

Each one carries in their hands ( their hopes and)

Fortunes of three friends (theyre shaking form)
Weight of choices they have made ( theyre tired)

For them its just begun
The bitter end the brighter future
Unraveled and undone investments seeing no return
Have soon become the sum of efforts that will wash the
Bitter
Taste left from their tongue
So take a breath its only just begun

Deadline expectations loom
Challenges theyve been put through
Sounds theyve never thought to try
Weighing more now on their minds
Hopefullness still binds them tight
Looking forward whats mostly out of sight

Each one carries in their hands ( their hopes and)
Fortunes of three friends (theyre shaking form)
Weight of choices they have made ( theyre tired)

For them its just begun
The bitter end the brighter future
Unraveled and undone investments seeing no return
Have soon become the sum of efforts that will wash the
Bitter

Taste left from their tongue
So take a breath its only just begun

Overall Meaning

The song "Chapter 1" by Downway starts with a description of a situation where four men are about to make a significant decision, the outcome of which will determine the fate of their future. The atmosphere of the room is set to be dark and smoky, creating a symbolic representation of the uncertainty and tension that the characters are experiencing. They hold in their hands the hopes, fortunes and choices they have made for their friends, representing the weight of responsibility and accountability they feel on their shoulders.

The song progresses to express a sense of hopefulness despite the looming deadlines and challenges they face. The lyrics emphasize that despite the efforts and investments that did not turn out as expected, it is only the beginning of a journey. The bitter taste left behind is temporary, and with time, things will improve. The song's message is quite powerful as it conveys the idea of perseverance through difficult times, the importance of friendship, and the belief that a brighter future is possible despite setbacks.

Line by Line Meaning

So let me set the mood for you
Allow me to paint a picture

A dark and smoky clouded room
The setting is ominous

Where four men are about to find
Four individuals are present

The essence of whats on the line
They are looking for the core of what's at stake

The end result of whats begun
The outcome depends on what they do now

Resting on the words they have not sung
The outcome depends on their actions and decisions

Each one carries in their hands ( their hopes and)
They hold onto their aspirations and dreams

Fortunes of three friends (theyre shaking form)
The futures of their close ones are at risk

Weight of choices they have made ( theyre tired)
The consequences of their past decisions are tiring

For them its just begun
This is only the beginning of their journey

The bitter end the brighter future
The outcome can be positive or negative