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.
Knocked up nine months ago
And what she's fittin' to have she don't know
She wants neo soul cause hip hop is old
She don't want no rock and roll
She want platinum, ice and gold
She want a whole lot of somethin' to fold
If you a obstacle she just drop you cold
'Cause one monkey don't stop the show
Little Mary's bad
In these streets she done ran
Ever since when the heat began
I told the girl, look here
Calm down I'mma hold your hand
To enable you to keep the plan
'Cause you was quick to learn
And we can make money to burn
If you allow me the latest game
I don't ask for much but enough room to spread my wings
And a world fittin' to know my name
I don't ask, for much these days
And I don't bitch and whine if I don't get my way
I only want to fertilize another behind my lover's back
I sit and watch it grow standin' where I'm at
Fertilize another behind my lovers back
And I'm keeping my secrets mine
I push my seed in her bush for life
It's gonna work because I'm pushin' it right
If Mary dropped my baby girl tonight I would name her rock and roll
Cadillac needs space to roam
Where we headin' for she don't know
We in the city where the pro shake rattle and roll
And I'm a god dang rollin' stone
I don't beg, I can hold my own
I don't break, I can hold a chrome
And it's weighin' a ton and I'm a son of a gun
My code name is the only one
And Black Thought is bad
These streets he done ran ever since when the game began
I never played the fool
Matter of fact I've been keeping it cool
Since money been changin' hands
And I'm left to shine, the legacy I leave behind be the seed that'll keep the flame
I don't ask for much but enough room to spread these wings
And a world fittin' to know my name, now listen to me
I don't beg from a rich man
And I don't scream and kick when his shit don't fall in my hands, man
'Cause I know how to still
Fertilize another against my lovers will
I lick the opposition cause she don't take no pill
Oh you know the deal you'll be keeping my legend alive
I push my seed in her bush for life
It's gonna work because I'm pushin' it right
If Mary drops my baby girl tonight I would name her rock 'n roll
Oh break it down, down for me
I push my seed somewhere deep in her chest
I push it naked cause I've takin' my test
Deliverin' Mary it don't matter the sex
I'm gonna name it rock 'n roll
I push my seed in her bush for life
It's gonna work because I'm pushin' it right
If Mary drops my baby girl tonight
I would name her rock 'n roll
I would name her rock 'n roll
I would name her rock 'n roll
I would name it rock 'n roll
And what she's fittin' to have she don't know
She wants neo soul cause hip hop is old
She don't want no rock and roll
She want platinum, ice and gold
She want a whole lot of somethin' to fold
If you a obstacle she just drop you cold
'Cause one monkey don't stop the show
Little Mary's bad
In these streets she done ran
Ever since when the heat began
I told the girl, look here
Calm down I'mma hold your hand
To enable you to keep the plan
'Cause you was quick to learn
And we can make money to burn
If you allow me the latest game
I don't ask for much but enough room to spread my wings
And a world fittin' to know my name
I don't ask, for much these days
And I don't bitch and whine if I don't get my way
I only want to fertilize another behind my lover's back
I sit and watch it grow standin' where I'm at
Fertilize another behind my lovers back
And I'm keeping my secrets mine
I push my seed in her bush for life
It's gonna work because I'm pushin' it right
If Mary dropped my baby girl tonight I would name her rock and roll
Cadillac needs space to roam
Where we headin' for she don't know
We in the city where the pro shake rattle and roll
And I'm a god dang rollin' stone
I don't beg, I can hold my own
I don't break, I can hold a chrome
And it's weighin' a ton and I'm a son of a gun
My code name is the only one
And Black Thought is bad
These streets he done ran ever since when the game began
I never played the fool
Matter of fact I've been keeping it cool
Since money been changin' hands
And I'm left to shine, the legacy I leave behind be the seed that'll keep the flame
I don't ask for much but enough room to spread these wings
And a world fittin' to know my name, now listen to me
I don't beg from a rich man
And I don't scream and kick when his shit don't fall in my hands, man
'Cause I know how to still
Fertilize another against my lovers will
I lick the opposition cause she don't take no pill
Oh you know the deal you'll be keeping my legend alive
I push my seed in her bush for life
It's gonna work because I'm pushin' it right
If Mary drops my baby girl tonight I would name her rock 'n roll
Oh break it down, down for me
I push my seed somewhere deep in her chest
I push it naked cause I've takin' my test
Deliverin' Mary it don't matter the sex
I'm gonna name it rock 'n roll
I push my seed in her bush for life
It's gonna work because I'm pushin' it right
If Mary drops my baby girl tonight
I would name her rock 'n roll
I would name her rock 'n roll
I would name her rock 'n roll
I would name it rock 'n roll
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I think...that Black Thought..or Cody ChestnuTT, the narrator in general, is trying to leave his mark on the world. This is obvious, however, with "keep my legend alive." However, he's not just trying to leave his legacy of himself, but the actual legacy of music, more specifically, Rock & Roll.
However, he's..."fertilizing another behind my lover's back," thus making Rock & Roll the estranged child. Possibly noting the actual birth of Rock & Roll, which is 'the estranged child of Jazz'.
Absolutely brilliant song.
@tobeforgotten I believe you have nailed it. Thank you for doing so articulately.