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.
hey charlie nothing comes to rest
on the chests of those always running
and in this life i have been blessed
with starcrossed maps that kept me moving
but charles
the empty miles press
with the weight i thought i was avoiding
and how can i confess
when i know not what i am doing?
release the load
release and load again
release the load and then
hey charlies when's it gonna click?
i've been waiting all my life
for this
i'm tired of living from the wrist
and leaving all decision
to coincidence
release the load
release and load again
release the load and then
on the chests of those always running
and in this life i have been blessed
with starcrossed maps that kept me moving
but charles
the empty miles press
with the weight i thought i was avoiding
and how can i confess
when i know not what i am doing?
release the load
release and load again
release the load and then
hey charlies when's it gonna click?
i've been waiting all my life
for this
i'm tired of living from the wrist
and leaving all decision
to coincidence
release the load
release and load again
release the load and then
Lyrics submitted by greenpurse
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
It seems similar in ways to their other songs although this one has the added theme of 'travel'.
'Living from the wrists'... A skill that makes life very easy.
A person that has it all worked out, has money etc. But feels a certain spiritual emptiness. This one travels.