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.
Get up, get out, this is your wake-up call
We run this town and you can fight us all
We keep on coming back for more
And don't think you can hold us down
We'll tear this building down
Try to be careful what you say
Give it up, your tact is astounding
Find your place and leave us with some peace of mind
You do this every time
So here's to another banner year
We've crossed that thin line, don't try to hold us here
If for just this once you'd think of us
I hope you're happy with yourself
Get up, get out, who's gonna break your fall?
When we don't back down, they're gonna seem so small
We keep 'em runnin' for the door
Just when things will come back around
It's too late for them
They're heading straight for a meltdown
I'm not a part of your cliche
Give it up, your tact is astounding
Find your place and leave us with some peace of mind
You do this every time
So here's to another banner year
We've crossed that thin line, don't try to hold us here
If for just this once you'd think of us
I hope you're happy with yourself
So here's to another banner year
We've crossed that thin line, don't try to hold us here
If for just this once you'd think of us
I hope you're happy with yourself
Just think about, just think about everything
Be careful now, be careful what you say
Wide awake
This is the life we chose, this is the life I lead
They can never take this from me
This is the life we chose, this is the life I lead
They can never take this from me
So here's to another banner year
We've crossed that thin line, don't try to hold us here
If for just this once you'd think of us
I hope you're happy with yourself
So here's to another banner year
We've crossed that thin line, don't try to hold us here
If for just this once you'd think of us
I hope you're happy with yourself
So here's to another banner year
I hope you're happy with yourself
We run this town and you can fight us all
We keep on coming back for more
And don't think you can hold us down
We'll tear this building down
Try to be careful what you say
Give it up, your tact is astounding
Find your place and leave us with some peace of mind
You do this every time
So here's to another banner year
We've crossed that thin line, don't try to hold us here
If for just this once you'd think of us
I hope you're happy with yourself
Get up, get out, who's gonna break your fall?
When we don't back down, they're gonna seem so small
We keep 'em runnin' for the door
Just when things will come back around
It's too late for them
They're heading straight for a meltdown
I'm not a part of your cliche
Give it up, your tact is astounding
Find your place and leave us with some peace of mind
You do this every time
So here's to another banner year
We've crossed that thin line, don't try to hold us here
If for just this once you'd think of us
I hope you're happy with yourself
So here's to another banner year
We've crossed that thin line, don't try to hold us here
If for just this once you'd think of us
I hope you're happy with yourself
Just think about, just think about everything
Be careful now, be careful what you say
Wide awake
This is the life we chose, this is the life I lead
They can never take this from me
This is the life we chose, this is the life I lead
They can never take this from me
So here's to another banner year
We've crossed that thin line, don't try to hold us here
If for just this once you'd think of us
I hope you're happy with yourself
So here's to another banner year
We've crossed that thin line, don't try to hold us here
If for just this once you'd think of us
I hope you're happy with yourself
So here's to another banner year
I hope you're happy with yourself
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this song is one of the best off the new album besides for if it means a lot to you