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.
Lavishly our lives are wasted
Humbleness is left untasted
You can't live your life to please yourself, yeah
That's a tip from my mistakes
Exactly what it doesn't take
To win you've got to come in last place
To live your life you've got to lose it
And all the losers get a crown
CHORUS:
I get down and He lifts me up
I get down and He lifts me up
I get down and He lifts me up
I get down
All I need's another day
Where I can't seem to get away
From the many things that drag me down
I'm sure you've had a day like me
Where nothing seems to set you free
From the burdens you can't carry all alone
In your weakness He is stronger
In your darkness He shines through
When you're crying He's your comfort
When you're all alone He's carrying you
CHORUS:
I get down and He lifts me up
I get down and He lifts me up
I get down and He lifts me up
I get down
This valley is so deep
I can barely see the sun
I cry out for mercy, Lord
You lift me up again
CHORUS:
I get down and He lifts me up
I get down and He lifts me up
I get down and He lifts me up
I get down
Humbleness is left untasted
You can't live your life to please yourself, yeah
That's a tip from my mistakes
Exactly what it doesn't take
To win you've got to come in last place
To live your life you've got to lose it
And all the losers get a crown
CHORUS:
I get down and He lifts me up
I get down and He lifts me up
I get down and He lifts me up
I get down
All I need's another day
Where I can't seem to get away
From the many things that drag me down
I'm sure you've had a day like me
Where nothing seems to set you free
From the burdens you can't carry all alone
In your weakness He is stronger
In your darkness He shines through
When you're crying He's your comfort
When you're all alone He's carrying you
CHORUS:
I get down and He lifts me up
I get down and He lifts me up
I get down and He lifts me up
I get down
This valley is so deep
I can barely see the sun
I cry out for mercy, Lord
You lift me up again
CHORUS:
I get down and He lifts me up
I get down and He lifts me up
I get down and He lifts me up
I get down
Lyrics submitted by Cecil4029, edited by ClockworkOctopus
Get Down Lyrics as written by Mick Cripps Kelly Nickels
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Part of it is about depression (verse 2), but also a big part of it (verse 1) is about humbling yourself and not being greedy/selfish, as in "the first shall be last and the last shall be first". Great song.