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.
For to see my depth of sorrow
You are not allowed to follow me
Into this town square
And then run away
Evil angel with your cleft tongue
When you kissed me
On this town square
All the lights came on at sunset
Thought you'd stay
Evil angel bearing apples
When you kissed me
On this drawbridge
As the boats do
How was I to know you'd flee
Tear down these monuments
Bury the coat of arms
And build for me a factory
Evil angel when you're faced with hatred's
Daggers in my honor
You're no match no scratching hearts that no longer bleed
Oh evil angel tear down the monuments
Oh evil angel bury the coat of arms
And rebuild for me these memories
For to see my depth of sorrow
You are not allowed to follow me
Into this town square
And then run away
Evil angel with your cleft tongue
When you kissed me
On this town square
All the lights came on at sunset
Thought you'd stay
Evil angel bearing apples
When you kissed me
On this drawbridge
As the boats do
How was I to know you'd flee
Tear down these monuments
Bury the coat of arms
And build for me a factory
Evil angel when you're faced with hatred's
Daggers in my honor
You're no match no scratching hearts that no longer bleed
Oh evil angel tear down the monuments
Oh evil angel bury the coat of arms
And rebuild for me these memories
For to see my depth of sorrow
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I agree, very dark and cold and emotionally driven. I can't figure it out, but I am blown away by it.