Song Meaning

The lyrics open with a stark, unsettling image: "pigs in a row" feeding "deep in the shit." It's a visceral condemnation, painting a picture of mass complicity and indulgence in something foul. The immediate tone is one of disgust and accusation. This initial disgust quickly expands into a profound personal disillusionment. The narrator grapples with shattered beliefs, stating "My faith in man has broken" and "My faith in god was stolen." This isn't just external criticism; it's an internal crisis, suggesting a world so corrupt it has eroded fundamental trust. The line "Or so I've been told" when discussing history's truth hints at a deeper skepticism, questioning even established narratives. The power of the imagery lies in its unflinching directness, repeatedly hammering home the "Guilty fucking pigs" refrain. What truly elevates these lyrics, however, is a subtle yet devastating shift in perspective. Initially, the blame rests on "they," but by the end, the narrator implicates everyone, declaring "Guilty, we're all guilty." This move transforms a pointed critique into a shared, inescapable burden, forcing the listener to confront their own place within this bleak assessment. The effectiveness of "They Know Not" comes from its raw, almost guttural honesty. The repeated, aggressive imagery of "noses deep in the shit" combined with the explicit connection to "greed and lies" creates a suffocating atmosphere of moral decay. It's a jaded worldview seen "Through bitter eyes," leaving no room for optimism, only a collective, inescapable guilt that resonates with anyone who's felt overwhelmed by systemic corruption.