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.
He was leading us through the dark
He was sayin' that "love goes on"
I was wanting some "ice cream"
He knew exactly what I meant
From the drivers seat in the dark
He popped a tape in the dash of his car
And when the singer started to scream
I knew exactly what he meant
I never knew for sure, what a wonderful man he was
What a sensuous man he was
What a marvelous man he was
Why do we love what is wrong?
Big devil told us to sing along
And like a loving flock we obey, except for him
He went his own way
I never knew for sure, what a wonderful man he was
'Til the day I found out his cause
Was to do it for all of us
He was sayin' that "love goes on"
I was wanting some "ice cream"
He knew exactly what I meant
From the drivers seat in the dark
He popped a tape in the dash of his car
And when the singer started to scream
I knew exactly what he meant
I never knew for sure, what a wonderful man he was
What a sensuous man he was
What a marvelous man he was
Why do we love what is wrong?
Big devil told us to sing along
And like a loving flock we obey, except for him
He went his own way
I never knew for sure, what a wonderful man he was
'Til the day I found out his cause
Was to do it for all of us
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gorgeous song. what i wouldnt do to feel like this everyday:
With the sun on my shoulder And the wind in my back I will never grow older At least not in my mind