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'm only pretty sure that I can't take anymore
Before you take a swing
I wonder what are we fighting for?
When I say out loud
I want to get out of this
I wonder is there anything?
I'm going to miss
I wonder how it's gonna be?
When you don't know me
How's it gonna be?
When you're sure I'm not there
How's it gonna be?
When there's no one there to talk to
Between you and me
'Cause I don't care
How's it gonna be?
How's it gonna be?
Where we used to laugh
There's a shouting match
Sharp as a thumbnail scratch
A silence I can't ignore
Like the hammock by the
Doorway we spent time in, swings empty
I don't see lightning like last fall
When it was always about to hit me
I wonder how's it gonna be?
When it goes down
How's it gonna be?
When you're not around
How's it gonna be?
When you found out there was nothing
Between you and me
'Cause I don't care
How's it gonna be?
And how's it gonna be?
When you don't know me anymore
And how's it gonna be?
Want to get myself back in again
The soft dive of oblivion
I want to taste the salt of your skin
The soft dive of oblivion, oblivion
How's it gonna be?
When you don't know me anymore
How's it gonna be?
How's it gonna be
How's it gonna be
Before you take a swing
I wonder what are we fighting for?
When I say out loud
I want to get out of this
I wonder is there anything?
I'm going to miss
I wonder how it's gonna be?
When you don't know me
How's it gonna be?
When you're sure I'm not there
How's it gonna be?
When there's no one there to talk to
Between you and me
'Cause I don't care
How's it gonna be?
How's it gonna be?
Where we used to laugh
There's a shouting match
Sharp as a thumbnail scratch
A silence I can't ignore
Like the hammock by the
Doorway we spent time in, swings empty
I don't see lightning like last fall
When it was always about to hit me
I wonder how's it gonna be?
When it goes down
How's it gonna be?
When you're not around
How's it gonna be?
When you found out there was nothing
Between you and me
'Cause I don't care
How's it gonna be?
And how's it gonna be?
When you don't know me anymore
And how's it gonna be?
Want to get myself back in again
The soft dive of oblivion
I want to taste the salt of your skin
The soft dive of oblivion, oblivion
How's it gonna be?
When you don't know me anymore
How's it gonna be?
How's it gonna be
How's it gonna be
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This is the most amazing song in the world! The 4th and 5th lines hit me every time! There aren't even words for this one.....