Swallowing Shit's last show occurred June, 1997, at the West End Cultural Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Picketed and stormed by nearly 300 Christians angered by their smash radio hit "Pro-Abortion, Anti-Christ", the show signaled the end of an era in Winnipeg, as the band were subsequently banned from public performance by city council, citing an obscure and hitherto unenforced 103-year old civic ordinance criminalizing challenges to the authority of the Church within city limits.
Many of the ever-changing membership are still active in the Winnipeg music scene. Todd (guitar) plays bass for Propagandhi, Mike (vocals) sings for Putrescence and books shows in Winnipeg, Jahmeel (bass) is now based out of Vancouver and plays bass in numerous projects including the Black Halos and Cory (drums) is currently playing in a black metal project with other former members of Malefaction in Of Human Bondage.
If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport
Swallowing Shit Lyrics
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we agreed to learn your tongue, you took more, you took our voice.
we shared with you this land, you took more than you needed. you shared with us your way of life, and robbed us of ours. whose delusions brought us this madness?
whose voice unleashed the rifles and gas?
do n't tell me that time heals all wounds.
The lyrics to Swallowing Shit's song "If Assholes Could Fly, This Place Would Be An Airport" point to the devastating effects of colonialism on Indigenous peoples. The opening line, "we greeted you with smiles, you greeted us with lies," highlights the false promises made by colonizers to Indigenous communities. The next lines, "we agreed to learn your tongue, you took more, you took our voice," point to the forced assimilation and erasure of Indigenous languages and cultures by colonizers. The following lines, "we shared with you this land, you took more than you needed. you shared with us your way of life, and robbed us of ours," further emphasize the exploitation and theft of Indigenous lands and resources.
The chorus, "whose delusions brought us this madness? whose voice unleashed the rifles and gas? don't tell me that time heals all wounds," questions the justifications put forth by colonizers for their actions and the idea that time alone can heal the profound wounds inflicted upon Indigenous peoples. The song highlights not only the violence of colonialism but also the ongoing effects that continue to impact Indigenous communities to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
we greeted you with smiles, you greeted us with lies.
We welcomed you with open arms and friendly attitudes, but you lied to us from the beginning.
we agreed to learn your tongue, you took more, you took our voice.
We made an effort to communicate and understand your culture, but you ended up exploiting us and silencing our own voices.
we shared with you this land, you took more than you needed. you shared with us your way of life, and robbed us of ours.
We were willing to share our land and resources with you, but you took advantage of our generosity and stripped us of our own way of life.
whose delusions brought us this madness?
Who is responsible for the insanity that we find ourselves in?
whose voice unleashed the rifles and gas?
Who is to blame for the violence and brutality that we have endured?
do n't tell me that time heals all wounds.
I refuse to accept the idea that the passage of time will magically make everything better.
Contributed by Addison F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.