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.
Goodbye
I'm thinking of you
In my sleep
They're not good thoughts
The worst kind of sad
I've noticed things
Cannot be repaired
When I wake up
I'll be in despair
Cause I know I've got to say
I know I've got to say
Goodbye baby goodbye
Goodbye baby goodbye
You're my sweetheart goodbye
You're my sweetest goodbye
I know I'm gonna look
So, so, so, so bad
But there's no easy way
For me to have to walk away
But I don't want to hear this no more
And I don't want to feel this no more
And I don't want to see this no more
And I don't want to experience this no more
Cause I know I've got to say
I know I've got say
Goodbye baby goodbye
Goodbye baby goodbye
You're my sweetheart goodbye
You're my sweetest goodbye
Goodbye (Repeat)
You're my sweetest (Repeat)
I'm thinking of you
In my sleep
They're not good thoughts
The worst kind of sad
I've noticed things
Cannot be repaired
When I wake up
I'll be in despair
Cause I know I've got to say
I know I've got to say
Goodbye baby goodbye
Goodbye baby goodbye
You're my sweetheart goodbye
You're my sweetest goodbye
I know I'm gonna look
So, so, so, so bad
But there's no easy way
For me to have to walk away
But I don't want to hear this no more
And I don't want to feel this no more
And I don't want to see this no more
And I don't want to experience this no more
Cause I know I've got to say
I know I've got say
Goodbye baby goodbye
Goodbye baby goodbye
You're my sweetheart goodbye
You're my sweetest goodbye
Goodbye (Repeat)
You're my sweetest (Repeat)
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
Oh yes and the ending...it just sort of stops...you feel empty listening to it...the whole thing echoes hopelessness...brilliant song.