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.
MY MOTIVATIONS UNRESOLVED
THINGS ARE JUST NEVER WHAT THEY SEEM
APATHY'S CURRENCIES DECEIT
PITCH BENDING RADIATED DREAMS
THE JACKAL'S WISHING WELL FORGOTTEN
DARK CLOUD SUNRISE
THE VIEW OF SOMEONE SOMEWHERE ELSE IS
BURNT IN MY EYES
HOW LONG-DUG UP REMAINS
HOW LOW-THE ROTTING FAME
HOW LOW-TO SEE RIGHT THROUGH
HOW LONG-THE HOLE I KNEW
HOW LOW-THE CLEAR EYED STAIN
HOW LONG-TO SET AFLAME
HOW LOW-TO BE SET UP
HOW LONG-AND TAKEN OUT
THE ANT-LIKE KARMA FROM THE CRACK IN A HAND
FULL PAINTING ON A MURAL IN A FOREIGN LANDFILL
MIND CONTROLLED BY THE PULLEY OF THE STRINGS
SO REMOTE THE VIEW FROM THE PUTTETRY SWINGSET
MY RESERVATIONS HAVE EVOLVED
SCENES ONCE NEGATED USHERED IN
MERCY KILLINGS ONE TO ONE DEFEND
VISIONARY CRIMINALS DESCEND
ON KNEES ALL BURNING
A TERM OF USELESS LIFELESS THOUGHT
WHAT A PAID RIDE
ALCHEMIC JAIL-CELL VIVISECTION
TEST-SUBJECT DAY JOB
HOW LONG-TO PACIFY
HOW LOW-YOU STILL DENY
HOW LOW-FROM UP ABOVE
HOW LONG-THE CREEPING CROWN
HOW LOW-THE TRIPPING SOUND
HOW LONG-TO KICK BACK DOWN
HOW LOW-THE HOLY CHEAT
HOW LONG-THE LEAP OF FAITH
THESE REVELATIONS UNDERMINDED
CONTROLLED BELIEF IN LEADS MANKIND
EACH PENNY SOLD AND MESMERIZED
WE'RE STONED
TWO-FOLD REVERSAL BECKONING
THE BINDING CRAYON WORDS INVERTED
JUSTICE IN TRAVESTIA
WE WORSHIP ACID MOANS AND CURBSIDE-HOLIDAYS
RECYCLE SHIT WE THROW AWAY IN GLOSSY PACKAGED CRAZE
MAYBE IN A DAY OR SO I'LL STUMBLE ON THAT GRASSY KNOLL
TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT
ANNOUNCING TO MYSELF: WAKE-UP
WE KILL EVERYTHING THAT'S NOT TIED DOWN
WE EUTHANIZE BUT KEEP ALIVE THE LOWEST FORM OF PRISON LIFE
SO USEFUL AND EXPERIMENTAL
TREATMENT OF THE SICK AND DYING
WHAT ABOUT THE TORTURE?
THINGS ARE JUST NEVER WHAT THEY SEEM
APATHY'S CURRENCIES DECEIT
PITCH BENDING RADIATED DREAMS
THE JACKAL'S WISHING WELL FORGOTTEN
DARK CLOUD SUNRISE
THE VIEW OF SOMEONE SOMEWHERE ELSE IS
BURNT IN MY EYES
HOW LONG-DUG UP REMAINS
HOW LOW-THE ROTTING FAME
HOW LOW-TO SEE RIGHT THROUGH
HOW LONG-THE HOLE I KNEW
HOW LOW-THE CLEAR EYED STAIN
HOW LONG-TO SET AFLAME
HOW LOW-TO BE SET UP
HOW LONG-AND TAKEN OUT
THE ANT-LIKE KARMA FROM THE CRACK IN A HAND
FULL PAINTING ON A MURAL IN A FOREIGN LANDFILL
MIND CONTROLLED BY THE PULLEY OF THE STRINGS
SO REMOTE THE VIEW FROM THE PUTTETRY SWINGSET
MY RESERVATIONS HAVE EVOLVED
SCENES ONCE NEGATED USHERED IN
MERCY KILLINGS ONE TO ONE DEFEND
VISIONARY CRIMINALS DESCEND
ON KNEES ALL BURNING
A TERM OF USELESS LIFELESS THOUGHT
WHAT A PAID RIDE
ALCHEMIC JAIL-CELL VIVISECTION
TEST-SUBJECT DAY JOB
HOW LONG-TO PACIFY
HOW LOW-YOU STILL DENY
HOW LOW-FROM UP ABOVE
HOW LONG-THE CREEPING CROWN
HOW LOW-THE TRIPPING SOUND
HOW LONG-TO KICK BACK DOWN
HOW LOW-THE HOLY CHEAT
HOW LONG-THE LEAP OF FAITH
THESE REVELATIONS UNDERMINDED
CONTROLLED BELIEF IN LEADS MANKIND
EACH PENNY SOLD AND MESMERIZED
WE'RE STONED
TWO-FOLD REVERSAL BECKONING
THE BINDING CRAYON WORDS INVERTED
JUSTICE IN TRAVESTIA
WE WORSHIP ACID MOANS AND CURBSIDE-HOLIDAYS
RECYCLE SHIT WE THROW AWAY IN GLOSSY PACKAGED CRAZE
MAYBE IN A DAY OR SO I'LL STUMBLE ON THAT GRASSY KNOLL
TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT
ANNOUNCING TO MYSELF: WAKE-UP
WE KILL EVERYTHING THAT'S NOT TIED DOWN
WE EUTHANIZE BUT KEEP ALIVE THE LOWEST FORM OF PRISON LIFE
SO USEFUL AND EXPERIMENTAL
TREATMENT OF THE SICK AND DYING
WHAT ABOUT THE TORTURE?
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