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 am a man. I am self aware.
Everywhere I go, you're always right there with me.
I flirted with you all my life
Even kissed you once or twice
To this day I swear it was nice.
But clearly, I was not ready.
When you touched a friend of mine, I thought I would loose my mind.
But I found out with time,
That really, i was not ready.
No, No
Oh death, oh death, oh death.
Really, I'm not ready.
Of death you hinder me.
Death makes those dear to me.
Tease me with your sweet relief.
You're cool, and you are constant.
When my mom was cancer sick,
She fought but then succumb to it.
But you made her beg for it,
Lord Jesus, please, I'm ready.
Oh death, oh death, oh death.
Really I'm not ready.
No no.
Oh death, oh death, oh death.
Clearly I'm not ready.
Everywhere I go, you're always right there with me.
I flirted with you all my life
Even kissed you once or twice
To this day I swear it was nice.
But clearly, I was not ready.
When you touched a friend of mine, I thought I would loose my mind.
But I found out with time,
That really, i was not ready.
No, No
Oh death, oh death, oh death.
Really, I'm not ready.
Of death you hinder me.
Death makes those dear to me.
Tease me with your sweet relief.
You're cool, and you are constant.
When my mom was cancer sick,
She fought but then succumb to it.
But you made her beg for it,
Lord Jesus, please, I'm ready.
Oh death, oh death, oh death.
Really I'm not ready.
No no.
Oh death, oh death, oh death.
Clearly I'm not ready.
Lyrics submitted by zerdmann, edited by DylanLincoln
Flirted with You All My Life Lyrics as written by Vic Chesnutt
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
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Should be:
Oh Death, you hector me Decimate those dear to me
I had not heard Vic in several years but happened upon this song after he died. The line "
She fought, but then succumbed to it but you made her beg for it
really hit me off-guard. This is one of those songs that is so personal you almost feel ashamed listening to it.
This.<br /> <br /> 'really hit me off-guard. This is one of those songs that is so personal you almost feel ashamed listening to it'<br /> <br /> I find the CJ cover easier to listen to - not better, just an interpretation that allows you some distance.
Just to add that thinking about it a little -the 'distance' may be in part due to the female vocals on the CJ version