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.
your father was a useless man and he would one day have one of his own, and you mother was a useless mass and she would one day have one of her own.
your siblings had no kin worth dying or fighting for;
it was a fine dining affair and that was all,
and if our daughter was to die a lonely loveless widow i would cry for her.
i leave the girl, the morn, and then, i come back in the eve, the girl.
your father was a useless man and he would one day have one of his own. remember the evening suspended in time, that when the sun came down it confused the surrounds and what was to please.
did you see me ride that sun and caress the screaming tyres into the tree?
and this is the tip of sincerity.
and if our daughter was to die a lonely loveless widow i would cry for her.
i leave the girl, the morn, and then, i come back in the eve, the girl.
your siblings had no kin worth dying or fighting for;
it was a fine dining affair and that was all,
and if our daughter was to die a lonely loveless widow i would cry for her.
i leave the girl, the morn, and then, i come back in the eve, the girl.
your father was a useless man and he would one day have one of his own. remember the evening suspended in time, that when the sun came down it confused the surrounds and what was to please.
did you see me ride that sun and caress the screaming tyres into the tree?
and this is the tip of sincerity.
and if our daughter was to die a lonely loveless widow i would cry for her.
i leave the girl, the morn, and then, i come back in the eve, the girl.
Lyrics submitted by melonata
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