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.
Riel
Swallowing Shit Lyrics
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The lyrics of Swallowing Shit's song Riel convey a sense of imminent doom and despair. The opening line "Tears engulfed him even as the sun..." sets the emotional tone for the rest of the song. The image of the sun stepping free of the clouds and enveloping him with light is juxtaposed with the tears that are still flowing from his eyes. This contrast creates a sense of conflict between light and darkness, hope and despair.
The second line "he turned to them, and came to us, with such foreboding i asked him to explain" suggests that the person who is crying is seeking solace or comfort from the people around him. However, his sense of foreboding makes the singer curious about what has happened to him. The next line "the y cry out, no one listens, they all die, no one hears" seems to suggest that the person who is crying has witnessed a great tragedy or injustice, but no one is willing to listen or take action. This sense of powerlessness and despair is further reinforced by the final line "i see a hangman's noose suspended from the sky."
In summary, the lyrics of Swallowing Shit's song Riel paint a dark and unsettling picture of a world where injustice and death seem to prevail. The sense of despair and hopelessness is palpable throughout the song, and the image of the hangman's noose hanging from the sky is a chilling reminder of the consequences of inaction.
Line by Line Meaning
Tears engulfed him even as the sun, stepping free of the clouds enveloped him with light.
He was crying despite the sun shining on him and it seemed like he had been going through a lot of emotional turmoil.
he turned to them, and came to us, with such foreboding i asked him to explain.
He faced them and approached us with a sense of foreboding, which made me ask him to clarify what was troubling him.
"the y cry out, no one listens, they all die, no one hears.
He was listening to the cries of people who felt unheard and neglected, which led to their ultimate demise.
i see a hangman's noose suspended from the sky."
He had a vision of a hangman's noose hanging from the sky, which symbolized an impending sense of doom or tragedy.
Contributed by Matthew O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.