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.
The first thing I did when that plane finally landed was kiss the ground
The next thing I did was to go find my friends down at the old hangout
Drank some beer and talked a lot about old times
But when the booze finally hit Billy Joe Grimes
He said, 'I don't know what it is, but you seem different to me.'
I said, 'I just came back from a place where they hated me
And everything I stand for
A land where our brothers are dying for others who don't even care anymore
If I'm not exactly the same good old boy that you ran around with before
I just came back from a war.'
The very next morning I took a walk through the neighborhood
I thought it's been so long since I've been in a place where everything is good
People laughing and children were playing
And as I watched 'em, I found myself praying
Lord, keep 'em safe here at home in the land of the free
'Cause I just came back from a place where they hated me
And everything I stand for
A land where our brothers are dying for others who don't even care anymore
If I'm not same little freckle-faced boy
That grew up in that house next door
I just came back from a war
I hope you cherish this sweet way of life
And I hope you know that it comes with a price
I just came back from a place where they hated me
And everything I stand for
A land where our brothers are dying for others who don't even care anymore
Chances are I never will be the same
I really don't know anymore
I just came back from a war
I just came back from a war
I just came back from a war
The next thing I did was to go find my friends down at the old hangout
Drank some beer and talked a lot about old times
But when the booze finally hit Billy Joe Grimes
He said, 'I don't know what it is, but you seem different to me.'
I said, 'I just came back from a place where they hated me
And everything I stand for
A land where our brothers are dying for others who don't even care anymore
If I'm not exactly the same good old boy that you ran around with before
I just came back from a war.'
The very next morning I took a walk through the neighborhood
I thought it's been so long since I've been in a place where everything is good
People laughing and children were playing
And as I watched 'em, I found myself praying
Lord, keep 'em safe here at home in the land of the free
'Cause I just came back from a place where they hated me
And everything I stand for
A land where our brothers are dying for others who don't even care anymore
If I'm not same little freckle-faced boy
That grew up in that house next door
I just came back from a war
I hope you cherish this sweet way of life
And I hope you know that it comes with a price
I just came back from a place where they hated me
And everything I stand for
A land where our brothers are dying for others who don't even care anymore
Chances are I never will be the same
I really don't know anymore
I just came back from a war
I just came back from a war
I just came back from a war
Lyrics submitted by NavyKitten
I Just Came Back from a War Lyrics as written by Darryl W Worley Darryl Worley
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I can imagine this happening to me - my parents made me promise to turn 23 before joining the navy and I know it'll kill my dad when I do, but I still think it's what I should do.
Anyhow, if you're in the navy ýou will end up in a war someplace someday and fight for what you believe is freedom, for your country and/or at least for what you think is right, while the people there might not think this way: "'Cause I just came back from a place where they hated me and everything I stand for; A land where our brothers are dying for others who don't even care any more." When you experience something like this, it has to change you ... knowing it (as I do from the TV, news paper and songs like this) isn't the same as experiencing it.
Freedom has a price, and people are paying it every day...
God Bless you for joining the Navy, I have so much respect for those of you that are able to go and fight for us. many people don't understand what it takes to keep this country free. And it will change you, just make sure you keep family and friends close to you and you will never be alone