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.
Skip a rope, skip a rope
Oh, listen to the children while they play
Now ain't it kinda funny What the children say
Skip a rope
Daddy hates mommy, mommy hates dad
Last night you shoulda heard
The fight they had
Gave little sister another bad dream
She woke us all up with a terrible scream
Skip a rope, skip a rope
Oh, listen to the children while they play
Now ain't it kinda funny What the children say?
Skip a rope
Cheat on your taxes, don't be a fool
Now what was that they said about a golden rule?
Never mind the rules just play to win
And hate your neighbor for the shade of his skin
Skip a rope, skip a rope
Oh, listen to the children while they play
Now ain't it kinda funny What the children say?
Skip a rope
Stab 'em in the back that's the name of the game
And mommy and daddy are who's to blame
Skip a rope, skip a rope
Just listen to your children while they play
It's really not very funny what the children say
Skip a rope, skip a rope
Skip a rope, skip a rope
Oh, listen to the children while they play
Now ain't it kinda funny What the children say
Skip a rope
Daddy hates mommy, mommy hates dad
Last night you shoulda heard
The fight they had
Gave little sister another bad dream
She woke us all up with a terrible scream
Skip a rope, skip a rope
Oh, listen to the children while they play
Now ain't it kinda funny What the children say?
Skip a rope
Cheat on your taxes, don't be a fool
Now what was that they said about a golden rule?
Never mind the rules just play to win
And hate your neighbor for the shade of his skin
Skip a rope, skip a rope
Oh, listen to the children while they play
Now ain't it kinda funny What the children say?
Skip a rope
Stab 'em in the back that's the name of the game
And mommy and daddy are who's to blame
Skip a rope, skip a rope
Just listen to your children while they play
It's really not very funny what the children say
Skip a rope, skip a rope
Skip a rope, skip a rope
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Skip a Rope Lyrics as written by Glenn Tubb Jack Moran
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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I had to look up these lyrics after listening to Logan Ledger's cover version several times. Glad to see it's about the importance of parents being mindful of what they say in front of their children. A good reminder for me, a parent of a rather impressionable kid. The lyrics can definitely be jarring if you don't take the time to take them all in.