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.
Unleash the Armageddon
So all the children go to heaven
I sit by quiet still
With their pictures on my eyes
You'll draw the guns you're given
Write down the words as written
And never disturb the presence
Of resurrection crutch
And it's about time
It's about drawing near
Blue skies bring tears
Blue skies bring tears
Blue skies bring tears
Descend the darkened stairways
Make hate with plastic playmates
And fire out remaining traces
Of your self-esteem
Mainline the deepest secrets
Lick clean the dirty fingers
I am a stranger to you
As you are to yourself
And it's about time
It's about fear
Blue skies bring tears
Don't you want me
As I awake the city sigh
We'll watch the seasons die
Blue skies bring tears
Take me inside your body
Cover me with your soul
To the darkest recess
Is where I wish to go
You are the greatest flower
That I have ever devoured
I ask for nothing given
For nothing in return
Blue skies bring tears
Blue skies bring tears
Blue skies bring tears
Blue skies bring tears
Blue skies bring tears
Blue skies bring tears
Blue skies bring tears
Blue skies bring tears
So all the children go to heaven
I sit by quiet still
With their pictures on my eyes
You'll draw the guns you're given
Write down the words as written
And never disturb the presence
Of resurrection crutch
And it's about time
It's about drawing near
Blue skies bring tears
Blue skies bring tears
Blue skies bring tears
Descend the darkened stairways
Make hate with plastic playmates
And fire out remaining traces
Of your self-esteem
Mainline the deepest secrets
Lick clean the dirty fingers
I am a stranger to you
As you are to yourself
And it's about time
It's about fear
Blue skies bring tears
Don't you want me
As I awake the city sigh
We'll watch the seasons die
Blue skies bring tears
Take me inside your body
Cover me with your soul
To the darkest recess
Is where I wish to go
You are the greatest flower
That I have ever devoured
I ask for nothing given
For nothing in return
Blue skies bring tears
Blue skies bring tears
Blue skies bring tears
Blue skies bring tears
Blue skies bring tears
Blue skies bring tears
Blue skies bring tears
Blue skies bring tears
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