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.
All is fair in love and we're in love
Now that everybody's dead we can finally talk
Can vanity and happiness coexist?
All the lovers we've takin' in direct view of the enemy
And we shift each other's body to accept the bullet
And continue the pleasure
The treasures of battle
It's only for the wounded, the purple-hearted
Why must you try to ruin my peace of mind?
And they were only words and I never meant them
I never loved you
Even in my weakness
You were fuel for the fire cannon fodder
And my grandpa drank, fell and broke his face in two
When the cops arrived he exclaimed "I fought in world war II"
And then carried him to darkened hospital room
And saw him moan and curse and he remembers you
And we can't identify the enemy
And it could be you so it'll cost you
And it only cost me my wife
And my job
??
And my mom and I went to identify the body
And I wanted to see but she wouldn't let me
I had to wait for the military cemetery
And when we got there this is what she said to me
"Love and war, in heaven and in hell
You get what you deserve
You'd better spread it well
All is fair in love and war and love
A civil world like this it always sells itself"
Now that everybody's dead we can finally talk
Can vanity and happiness coexist?
All the lovers we've takin' in direct view of the enemy
And we shift each other's body to accept the bullet
And continue the pleasure
The treasures of battle
It's only for the wounded, the purple-hearted
Why must you try to ruin my peace of mind?
And they were only words and I never meant them
I never loved you
Even in my weakness
You were fuel for the fire cannon fodder
And my grandpa drank, fell and broke his face in two
When the cops arrived he exclaimed "I fought in world war II"
And then carried him to darkened hospital room
And saw him moan and curse and he remembers you
And we can't identify the enemy
And it could be you so it'll cost you
And it only cost me my wife
And my job
??
And my mom and I went to identify the body
And I wanted to see but she wouldn't let me
I had to wait for the military cemetery
And when we got there this is what she said to me
"Love and war, in heaven and in hell
You get what you deserve
You'd better spread it well
All is fair in love and war and love
A civil world like this it always sells itself"
Lyrics submitted by myslumberingheart
Love and War (11/11/46) Lyrics as written by Jenny Diane Lewis Blake Sennett
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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