Away With the Swine

Song Meaning

The lyrics open with a curious juxtaposition: Jesus's miracle of "water into wine" and a quick nod to "moderation." This immediately gives way to a fervent, almost incantatory call to cast out "swine" and "demons." The initial emotional texture is one of moral tension and a desire for purification. A core tension emerges between religious doctrine and personal experience. The speaker recounts being "freed" in "parochial school dress," yet also confesses to childhood rebellion and being deemed "possessed." This suggests a struggle with imposed morality versus an inherent, perhaps "wild," nature that led to setting fires with friends. The relentless repetition of "Away with the swine" is particularly striking, building an almost ritualistic intensity. The bridge's extended chant of "Swine, swine, swine" further amplifies this, creating a visceral sense of something needing to be purged. The evolving list of "demons"—from "insanity" to "debauchery" and finally "idolatry"—specifies the perceived evils, transforming a simple plea into a powerful exorcism. These lyrics effectively capture the complex interplay between spiritual aspiration and human fallibility. By grounding the call for liberation in both biblical allusions and raw personal confession, the writing creates a resonant portrait of someone grappling with moral codes and past transgressions. The broadening plea to "Set us all free" suggests a collective struggle, while the final, almost dismissive "la la la" implies a cyclical nature to this profound yearning.