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.
Break these chains that bind me
Take this world inside me, free it
Break these chains that bind me
Take this world inside me, please
And I will follow you forever
And I will break these chains
That bind my spirit
He’s been calling you forever
You would surrender
If you could only hear it
Shackled by this hatred
Chains beneath your skin
Don’t you wanna be free again?
Shackled by this hatred
Chains beneath my skin
All I wanna be is to be free again
And I will follow you forever
And I will break these chains
That bind my spirit
He’s been calling you forever
You would surrender
If you could only hear it
Here I am by your side forevermore…
Break these chains that bind me
Take this world inside me
Leave my past behind me
Free me
And I will follow you forever
And I will break these chains
That bind my spirit
He’s been calling you forever
You would surrender
If you could only hear it
If you could only hear it…
Take this world inside me, free it
Break these chains that bind me
Take this world inside me, please
And I will follow you forever
And I will break these chains
That bind my spirit
He’s been calling you forever
You would surrender
If you could only hear it
Shackled by this hatred
Chains beneath your skin
Don’t you wanna be free again?
Shackled by this hatred
Chains beneath my skin
All I wanna be is to be free again
And I will follow you forever
And I will break these chains
That bind my spirit
He’s been calling you forever
You would surrender
If you could only hear it
Here I am by your side forevermore…
Break these chains that bind me
Take this world inside me
Leave my past behind me
Free me
And I will follow you forever
And I will break these chains
That bind my spirit
He’s been calling you forever
You would surrender
If you could only hear it
If you could only hear it…
Lyrics submitted by GLaB
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Amazing song. Makes me want to cry as I pour my heart out through my throat.. garbled cries reaching up a prayer. one of the best bands I have ever heard, or seen live, and with incredible lyrics... and they live near me! and they're great down-to-eath guys... what more can I ask for?
BREAK!