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 They Hated Me They Will Hate You
Swallowing Shit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Murder and theft of land.
A continent butchered by greed filled man.
But i refuse to be taken in when you have the fucking gall to praise the name of god and wash your hands of it all.
To hell with sacred ground, forget all of those who died. All of those who died.
The lyrics of "If They Hated Me They Will Hate You" by Swallowing Shit touch upon the brutal history of colonialism and imperialism that have devastated continents and destroyed cultures. The first line "Annihilation of a culture" refers to the intentional wiping out of indigenous cultures and traditions by colonizers, often causing irreparable harm. The next line "Murder and theft of land" highlights the brutal violence and theft of resources that was used to subjugate colonized peoples.
The following lines "A continent butchered by greed-filled man. But I refuse to be taken in when you have the fucking gall to praise the name of god and wash your hands of it all" speak to the hypocrisy of the colonizers who claimed to be doing God's work while perpetrating atrocities. The singer refuses to accept this fake piety and sees through it for what it is. The final lines "To hell with sacred ground, forget all of those who died. All of those who died" express a deep anger and frustration toward those who have disregarded the countless lives lost in the name of greed and power.
The song is a powerful critique of colonialism, and it emphasizes the importance of recognizing the violence and harm that comes with imperialism. It calls for an acknowledgement of the harm done to colonized peoples and the need for reparations and justice.
Line by Line Meaning
Annihilation of a culture.
The complete destruction of a way of life and beliefs held by a group of people.
Murder and theft of land.
The act of unlawfully taking ownership of land belonging to another, often accompanied by violence and destruction.
A continent butchered by greed filled man.
A landmass that has been brutally exploited and damaged by individuals who prioritize their own selfish interests over the well-being of others and the environment.
But i refuse to be taken in when you have the fucking gall to praise the name of god and wash your hands of it all.
I reject the notion that someone can use religion to justify their harmful actions and then act as though they bear no responsibility for the consequences.
To hell with sacred ground, forget all of those who died. All of those who died.
Disregarding the sanctity of land and the lives lost in the pursuit of power and wealth, often with little regard for the consequences of such actions.
Contributed by Dominic A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.