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.
Faith lies in
The ways of sin
Chased the charmed
But I don't want them anymore
And in their eyes I was alive
Fool's disguise
Take me away from you
Shame my tongue
Fat with promise all along
When I woke up from that sleep
I was happier than I'd ever been
When you decide
That your life is a prize
Renew, revive
It's alright honey
It's alright, yeah
Happiness will make you wonder
Will I feel OK?
It scares the disenchanted
Far away
Yeah, I want something new
But what am I supposed to do about you
Yeah, I love you, it's true
Life's a bummer
When you're a hummer
Life's a drag
Ask yourself a question
Anyone but me
I ain't free
Ask yourself a question
Anyone but me
I ain't free
Do you feel
Love is real
The ways of sin
Chased the charmed
But I don't want them anymore
And in their eyes I was alive
Fool's disguise
Take me away from you
Shame my tongue
Fat with promise all along
When I woke up from that sleep
I was happier than I'd ever been
When you decide
That your life is a prize
Renew, revive
It's alright honey
It's alright, yeah
Happiness will make you wonder
Will I feel OK?
It scares the disenchanted
Far away
Yeah, I want something new
But what am I supposed to do about you
Yeah, I love you, it's true
Life's a bummer
When you're a hummer
Life's a drag
Ask yourself a question
Anyone but me
I ain't free
Ask yourself a question
Anyone but me
I ain't free
Do you feel
Love is real
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i have no idea either, i think it might be about being in love with someone who doesn't feel the same way, but it has one of the most amazing quotes of any smashing pumpkins song "But when I woke up from that sleep I was happier than I'd ever been."