Lyric discussion by Stevelloyd77 

Cover art for Swing Low lyrics by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

A haunting and brilliant song, the lyrics and music running together perfectly.

'Swing low, save my soul' references 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot', the African-American spiritual.

I can't find any references to Thomas Magee anywhere.

He swallowed the key to something the narrator is desperate to obtain. So he breaks into the house and rips up all the furniture. Drugs reference?