So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
Complete and total adoration
My gift to you, my heart was yours
In ten weeks you shaped it
In one night you murdered it
Torn from my chest and laid at your feet
That first step that you took was the worst
Since then you've walked a thousand miles in solace and short remark
And I still have these memories
But will never see what we could have been
Remember when we talked about where we'd be a year from now?
Remember when you held my hand like you'd never let it go?
Remember, because that's all you can do
We'll never make another memory
We'll never make another memory
I wish I would have died in your arms the last time we were together
So I wouldn't have to wake without you today
This time I thought things were real
You said they were
What happened?
You were a priority
Was I an option?
I let you see a side of me that I don't share with anyone
Promises are just words unless they are fulfilled
Knew from the beginning all I had to offer you was my heart
I'm just sorry that it wasn't enough
So, we'll go our own ways
And hopefully you'll remember these things I've told you
Hopefully you'll understand that everything I said is in sincerity
A broken heart is not what I wanted from this
But I guess I've learned from it
But aren't you supposed to learn from your mistakes?
I don't consider this a mistake
I just wish the story didn't end this way
Because I'm still in love with the person who helped me write it
Remember when we talked about where we'd be a year from now?
Remember when you held my hand like you'd never let it go?
My gift to you, my heart was yours
In ten weeks you shaped it
In one night you murdered it
Torn from my chest and laid at your feet
That first step that you took was the worst
Since then you've walked a thousand miles in solace and short remark
And I still have these memories
But will never see what we could have been
Remember when we talked about where we'd be a year from now?
Remember when you held my hand like you'd never let it go?
Remember, because that's all you can do
We'll never make another memory
We'll never make another memory
I wish I would have died in your arms the last time we were together
So I wouldn't have to wake without you today
This time I thought things were real
You said they were
What happened?
You were a priority
Was I an option?
I let you see a side of me that I don't share with anyone
Promises are just words unless they are fulfilled
Knew from the beginning all I had to offer you was my heart
I'm just sorry that it wasn't enough
So, we'll go our own ways
And hopefully you'll remember these things I've told you
Hopefully you'll understand that everything I said is in sincerity
A broken heart is not what I wanted from this
But I guess I've learned from it
But aren't you supposed to learn from your mistakes?
I don't consider this a mistake
I just wish the story didn't end this way
Because I'm still in love with the person who helped me write it
Remember when we talked about where we'd be a year from now?
Remember when you held my hand like you'd never let it go?
Lyrics submitted by midsummernights
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For me, this song has so much meaning. Basically, in its simpler form the song is about heartbreak - which is obvious to everyone, wither it be you breaking someone else, them dieing, you being the one broken or them moving away from you (either physically or emotionally.)
I think I speak for everyone when I say that this is 'complete and total adoration' in the most pure of mediums, about giving your complete and utter self to someone else, handing your soul to them on a platter and having it shoved right back in your face, just as loud, just as hard - letting them 'see a side of you which you dont share with anyone'
In two and a half months a lot can change even if you don't want it to, promises can be broken, lies can be told and people can leave, even if we do believe its true and real, even if we do believe they are our entire life.
This song has helped me through so much, the pain the lies and just the shit cards life deals you in general. I disagree though, some people have commented on the singers lack of emotion in his voice, but to me he is hiding the fact he is breaking, broken and holding back the tears as he is singing the lyrics. There couldn't possibly anymore honest, pure, real and intense emotion then that.
All in all, this song is lyrically and sound wise perfect. By far Across Five Aprils best, the song is nothing short of a beautiful, beautiful masterpiece.