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.
I was the cleaning man
I was the cleaning man
Listened to the radio play 'Cowgirl in the Sand'
When I was the cleaning man
I was the cleaning man
After everyone had come
To talk and drink and dance
I could see the evening scene reflecting in the cans
Now echoes of the empty room return with loneliness
And in the darkness of the night
I take the devil's hand
When I was the cleaning man
I was death's hand
I was heroin
To somebody I shouldn't have been
I was heroin
I was death's hand
I was the thief who stole all those women and men
I stood at the funerals of relatives and friends
And like a Midas eye wishing my greed and curse would end
When I was the cleaning man
When I was the cleaning man
When I was the cleaning man
I was the cleaning man
Listened to the radio play 'Cowgirl in the Sand'
When I was the cleaning man
I was the cleaning man
After everyone had come
To talk and drink and dance
I could see the evening scene reflecting in the cans
Now echoes of the empty room return with loneliness
And in the darkness of the night
I take the devil's hand
When I was the cleaning man
I was death's hand
I was heroin
To somebody I shouldn't have been
I was heroin
I was death's hand
I was the thief who stole all those women and men
I stood at the funerals of relatives and friends
And like a Midas eye wishing my greed and curse would end
When I was the cleaning man
When I was the cleaning man
When I was the cleaning man
Lyrics submitted by wyliecain
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!
Wow, the first person to post on one powerful intense song from a band that othewise throws out gems but outlined in slapstick and or comedic undertones. What can you sau about the great Sam jayne, ex-heroin lover yes, unknown underrated unbelievably talented lead singer of band that should be played all over the radio but thank god is not, and for the song at hand, not his best but far from his worst, its very moody but open enough to sing along. And if you have ever tragically and unfortuneately had a taste of heroin, a song like this takes on a few more meanings to the everyday Joe. I love it, and I wish there were more songs on this website for LOL, especially Missdirection. Now that is a masterpiece is my eyes. Same Jayne night = dead to some but to me he and the rest hopefully keep em coming...heroin and all.
Without talking to mr Jayne i'm not to sure he directly meant this song to suggest anything about heroin.