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.
Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Come on
Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Come on
In violent times
You shouldn't have to sell your soul
In black and white
They really really ought to know
Those one-track minds
That took you for a working boy
Kiss them goodbye
You shouldn't have to jump for joy
You shouldn't have to jump for joy
Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Come on
They gave you life
And in return you gave them hell
As cold as ice
I hope we live to tell the tale
I hope we live to tell the tale
Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Come on
Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Come on
Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Come on
And when you've taken down your guard
If I could change your mind
I'd really love to break your heart
I'd really love to break your heart
Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without (break your heart)
Come on (really love to break your heart)
I'm talking to you
Come on
Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
So come on
Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Come on
Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you (they really really ought to know)
Come on
Shout
Shout
Let it all out (I'd really love to break your heart)
These are the things I can do without
(I'd really love to break your heart)
Come on
I'm talking to you
So come on
Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Come on
Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Come on
In violent times
You shouldn't have to sell your soul
In black and white
They really really ought to know
Those one-track minds
That took you for a working boy
Kiss them goodbye
You shouldn't have to jump for joy
You shouldn't have to jump for joy
Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Come on
They gave you life
And in return you gave them hell
As cold as ice
I hope we live to tell the tale
I hope we live to tell the tale
Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Come on
Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Come on
Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Come on
And when you've taken down your guard
If I could change your mind
I'd really love to break your heart
I'd really love to break your heart
Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without (break your heart)
Come on (really love to break your heart)
I'm talking to you
Come on
Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
So come on
Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
Come on
Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you (they really really ought to know)
Come on
Shout
Shout
Let it all out (I'd really love to break your heart)
These are the things I can do without
(I'd really love to break your heart)
Come on
I'm talking to you
So come on
Shout
Shout
Let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you
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to me, this song is about coming out to your parents and the world.
"If i could change your mind i'd really love to break your heart"
that part--i think--means that the person hurting him--he cared for them before, but now they just hurt him and they hate him and the feeling's perfectly mutual. so he'd like to change their mind, have them love him again, so that he could break their heart like they did to him.
"these are things i could do without"
that part is so beautiful, i don't really understadn it, but i think he's saying, all the things he'll lose the in the process of "shouting", saying what he thinks, speaking his mind, are all things he can do without; after all, if someone was really important to him, they'd love him enough not to turn their back on him.
"in violent times you shouldn't have to sell your soul"
maybe an abusive parent? viloent times, but he shouldn't have to be someone he's not because of it.
"in black.... ought to know"
in simple terms, they should know how you feel, or at least try to understand.
"those one...working boy"
thoose simple minded people who think gay kids all become rent boys, cuz 'society' won't accept them or something.
"kiss them goodbye"
you shouldn't have to put up with that crap.
"they gave...to tell the tale"
i think this is from parents' point of view, or at least quoteing it, like they're always saying, "I GAVE BIRHT TO YOU" and like, "YOU OWE ME EVERYTHING" sort of arguement. ad in return they're gving them hell, making them decide what to do with you.
that's my take.