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.
This is a public service announcement
This is only a test
Emergency evacuation protest
May impair your ability to operate machinery
Can't quite tell just what it means to me
Keep out of reach of children
Don't you talk to strangers
Get your philosophy from a bumper sticker
Warning, live without warning
I said, warning, live without warning
Without, alright
Better homes and safety-sealed communities
Did you remember to pay the utility?
Caution, police line, you better not cross
Is the cop or am I the one that's really dangerous?
Sanitation, expiration date, question everything
Or shut up and be a victim of authority
Warning, live without warning
I said, warning, live without warning
I said, warning, live without warning
I said, warning, live without warning
Without alright
Better homes and safety-sealed communities
Did you remember to pay the utility?
Caution, police line, you better not cross
Is the cop or am I the one that's really dangerous?
Sanitation, expiration date, question everything
Or shut up and be a victim of authority
Warning, live without warning
I said, warning, live without warning
I said, warning, live without warning
I said, warning, live without warning
This is a public service announcement
This is only a test
This is only a test
Emergency evacuation protest
May impair your ability to operate machinery
Can't quite tell just what it means to me
Keep out of reach of children
Don't you talk to strangers
Get your philosophy from a bumper sticker
Warning, live without warning
I said, warning, live without warning
Without, alright
Better homes and safety-sealed communities
Did you remember to pay the utility?
Caution, police line, you better not cross
Is the cop or am I the one that's really dangerous?
Sanitation, expiration date, question everything
Or shut up and be a victim of authority
Warning, live without warning
I said, warning, live without warning
I said, warning, live without warning
I said, warning, live without warning
Without alright
Better homes and safety-sealed communities
Did you remember to pay the utility?
Caution, police line, you better not cross
Is the cop or am I the one that's really dangerous?
Sanitation, expiration date, question everything
Or shut up and be a victim of authority
Warning, live without warning
I said, warning, live without warning
I said, warning, live without warning
I said, warning, live without warning
This is a public service announcement
This is only a test
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Also, this song is amazing. I've always kinda noticed that EVERYTHING has a warning label these days! You can't do anything without there being a risk to it, and this kinda says, "Just go for it. Life's a risk worth taking."
The warning label stuff has gotten this insane: I was watching a commercial for a car, the one where they have it drive on the ledges of buildings. Then this appeared at the bottom of the screen: "Yes this is a fantasy. Cars can't actually drive on buildings."
Who would try to drive a car on a building?!?!?!