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.
Come on baby let's get out of this town
I got a full tank of gas with the top rolled down
There's a chill in my bones
I don't want to be left alone
So baby you can sleep while I drive
I'll pack my bag and load up my guitar
In my pocket I'll carry my harp
I got some money I saved
Enough to get underway
And baby you can sleep while I drive
We'll go thorough Tucson up to Santa Fe
And Barbara in Nashville says we're welcome to stay
I'll buy you glasses in Texas a hat from New Orleans
And in the morning you can tell me your dreams
You know I've seen it before
This mist that covers your eyes
You've been looking for something
That's not in your life
My intentions are true
Won't you take me with you
And baby you can sleep while I drive
Oh is it other arms you want to
Hold you the stranger
The lover you're free
Can't you get that with me
Come on baby let's get out of this town
I got a full tank of gas with the top rolled down
If you won't take me with you
I'll go before night is through
And baby you can sleep while I drive
I got a full tank of gas with the top rolled down
There's a chill in my bones
I don't want to be left alone
So baby you can sleep while I drive
I'll pack my bag and load up my guitar
In my pocket I'll carry my harp
I got some money I saved
Enough to get underway
And baby you can sleep while I drive
We'll go thorough Tucson up to Santa Fe
And Barbara in Nashville says we're welcome to stay
I'll buy you glasses in Texas a hat from New Orleans
And in the morning you can tell me your dreams
You know I've seen it before
This mist that covers your eyes
You've been looking for something
That's not in your life
My intentions are true
Won't you take me with you
And baby you can sleep while I drive
Oh is it other arms you want to
Hold you the stranger
The lover you're free
Can't you get that with me
Come on baby let's get out of this town
I got a full tank of gas with the top rolled down
If you won't take me with you
I'll go before night is through
And baby you can sleep while I drive
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melissa has here a masterpiece.
Melissa is talking about how she broke up with her girlfriend or how their relationship is on the rocks, and the desire to patch things up. She's so desperate to spend more time with her, that she begs her girlfriend to go on a road trip for her- to get away from where they are, to see things in a new perspective. Melissa will drive, and pay for gas and worry about everything, just for the joy of being in her presence again. Yet, Melissa's angry- why can't she feel the same way, need her in the same way? And yet, if she told Melissa that she didn't want to see her anymore, Melissa would leave. She just needs a definite answer, no matter how much it hurts.
No, biggreenmonkey, you are wrong.
It's about her and a former lover Kathleen wanting MELISSA to go with her... about which she wrote in her book :
'"You Can Sleep While I Drive" is my recollection of that time on the road with Kathleen saying, "Come on, baby, let's get out of this town. Let's do that again." We were really together during those weeks on the road, and I wanted to try and recapture that bonded feeling we shared."
Here is also the original lyrics. You can find all this information in Melissa's autobiography "The Truth Is..."
Come on baby let's get out of this town I got a full tank of gas with the top rolled down I knew it last night when we were lyin' in bed You had visions of the highway in your head I'll pack my bag and load up my guitar In my pocket I'll carry my harp
We'll cross tge desert and watch the moon rise And you can sleep while I drive I've seen it before this mist that covers your eyes You'll say that you're searching for something that's not in your life
And when the road calls out won't you take me with you I'll let you sleep while I drive We got through winter we're sheltered from the cold We cried through nights and swore we'd never let go And so the warm weather came whispering your name And you think of all the lovers you knew And if I can't go with you I'll go before the nights is through And you can sleep, sleep while I drive
We'll go through Tuscon up to Santa Fe and Barbara in Nashville says we're welcome to stay I'll buy you glasses in Texas a hat down in New Orleans In the morining you can tell me your dreams
Me, I've never been to Montreal I didn't know that you had I guess you forgot to call We can stay with your friends no I wont mind at all I'm sure they'll be glad to see you again
You've had others who shared the miles and you night's bed I always let you go free just like we said it should be Loving is hard with wide open arms I'll let you come let you go Got a good spare Brand new stereo Just washed my car you know she's ready to go There's nothing here to hold me down I won't be turning around And baby you can sleep while I drive
Oh if it's others arms you want to Hold you the stranger the lover You're free, why can't you find that with me