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.
Here I stand (here I stand)
Look around around around around around
But you won't see me (but you won't see me)
Now I'm here (now I'm here)
Now I'm there (now I'm there)
I'm just a
Just a new man
Yes you made me live again, wow
A baby I was when you took my hand
And the light of the night burned bright
The people all stared didn't understand
But you knew my name on sight
Ooh whatever came of you and me
America's new bride to be, ooh, don't worry baby I'm safe and sound
Down in the dungeon just peaches 'n' me
Don't I love her so
Yes you made me live again, yeah
Yeah, ooh, a thin moon me in a smoke-screen sky
Where the beams of your lovelight chase
Don't move, don't speak, don't feel no pain
With the rain running down my face
Your matches still light up the sky
And many a tear lives on in my eye
Down in the city just Hoople 'n' me
Don't I love him so
Ooh, don't I love him so
Whatever comes of you and me
I love to leave my memory with you
Now I'm here (now I'm here)
Think I'll stay around around around around around around
Down in the city justa you 'n' me (down in the city justa you 'n' me)
Don't I love you so
Go, go, go, little Queenie
Look around around around around around
But you won't see me (but you won't see me)
Now I'm here (now I'm here)
Now I'm there (now I'm there)
I'm just a
Just a new man
Yes you made me live again, wow
A baby I was when you took my hand
And the light of the night burned bright
The people all stared didn't understand
But you knew my name on sight
Ooh whatever came of you and me
America's new bride to be, ooh, don't worry baby I'm safe and sound
Down in the dungeon just peaches 'n' me
Don't I love her so
Yes you made me live again, yeah
Yeah, ooh, a thin moon me in a smoke-screen sky
Where the beams of your lovelight chase
Don't move, don't speak, don't feel no pain
With the rain running down my face
Your matches still light up the sky
And many a tear lives on in my eye
Down in the city just Hoople 'n' me
Don't I love him so
Ooh, don't I love him so
Whatever comes of you and me
I love to leave my memory with you
Now I'm here (now I'm here)
Think I'll stay around around around around around around
Down in the city justa you 'n' me (down in the city justa you 'n' me)
Don't I love you so
Go, go, go, little Queenie
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!
@Cinbar autocorrected. Should read ‘Freddie.’ And I meant to write ‘in Brian’s writing of the song...’ yeesh! you’d think they’d allow an edit feature.