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.
When you're falling awake
And you take stock of the new day
And you hear your voice croak
As you choke on what you need to say
Well, don't you fret, don't you fear
I will give you good cheer
Life's a long song
Life's a long song
Life's a long song
If you wait then your plate I will fill
As the verses unfold
and your soul suffers the long day
And the twelve o'clock gloom
Spins the room, you struggle on your way
Well, don't you sigh, don't you cry
Lick the dust from your eye
Life's a long song
Life's a long song
Life's a long song
We will meet in the sweet light of dawn
As the Baker Street train spills your pain
All over your new dress
And the symphony sounds
underground puts you under duress
Well, don't you squeal as the heel
Grinds you under the wheels
Life's a long song
Life's a long song
Life's a long song
But the tune ends too soon for us all
And you take stock of the new day
And you hear your voice croak
As you choke on what you need to say
Well, don't you fret, don't you fear
I will give you good cheer
Life's a long song
Life's a long song
Life's a long song
If you wait then your plate I will fill
As the verses unfold
and your soul suffers the long day
And the twelve o'clock gloom
Spins the room, you struggle on your way
Well, don't you sigh, don't you cry
Lick the dust from your eye
Life's a long song
Life's a long song
Life's a long song
We will meet in the sweet light of dawn
As the Baker Street train spills your pain
All over your new dress
And the symphony sounds
underground puts you under duress
Well, don't you squeal as the heel
Grinds you under the wheels
Life's a long song
Life's a long song
Life's a long song
But the tune ends too soon for us all
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the immediately previous comment should be deleted since the initial posters have the song described perfectly.