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.
He swam steadily for most of the day. Suddenly he found
Himself approaching an enormous huge floating cavern.
Could it be an island? Pinocchio looked closed and he
Saw two huge rows of sharp yellow teeth and he realized
His mistake.
So he would sulk and drink and mope
And cross his arms and hope to die
And then a fairy came one night
To bring this sorry boy to life
She pulled some strings, spilled him about
That boy jumped up and began to shout
"My arms, my legs, my heart, my face
They are alive!"
And she would cry, "Liar, liar!
What have I done?
You're no lover, and I'm no fighter"
(The story goes on)
So he would buy her things and kiss her hair
To show he was for real
And she would take those gifts and kisses
Though just stringing him along
She knew about those wooden boys
They take empty love to fill the void
"Pinocchio, oh boy, how your nose has grown!"
So he would cry, "Liar, liar!"
I'll prove it to you!"
But then it grew
He had grown tired of her
So it was true
He left her apartment
And he walked all night long
Until he was stopped by the shore of the ocean
But still he walked on
Amongst the whales and waves
And screamed, "Liar, liar!"
And his wooden body floated away
He just drifted away
And now I wonder how I was made
Now I wonder how I was made
My arms, my legs, my heart, my face
My name is Driftwood
Himself approaching an enormous huge floating cavern.
Could it be an island? Pinocchio looked closed and he
Saw two huge rows of sharp yellow teeth and he realized
His mistake.
So he would sulk and drink and mope
And cross his arms and hope to die
And then a fairy came one night
To bring this sorry boy to life
She pulled some strings, spilled him about
That boy jumped up and began to shout
"My arms, my legs, my heart, my face
They are alive!"
And she would cry, "Liar, liar!
What have I done?
You're no lover, and I'm no fighter"
(The story goes on)
So he would buy her things and kiss her hair
To show he was for real
And she would take those gifts and kisses
Though just stringing him along
She knew about those wooden boys
They take empty love to fill the void
"Pinocchio, oh boy, how your nose has grown!"
So he would cry, "Liar, liar!"
I'll prove it to you!"
But then it grew
He had grown tired of her
So it was true
He left her apartment
And he walked all night long
Until he was stopped by the shore of the ocean
But still he walked on
Amongst the whales and waves
And screamed, "Liar, liar!"
And his wooden body floated away
He just drifted away
And now I wonder how I was made
Now I wonder how I was made
My arms, my legs, my heart, my face
My name is Driftwood
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Maybe it's about identity... Whatever. I love the song.