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.
Will someone please call a surgeon
Who can crack my ribs
And repair this broken heart
That you're deserting for better company?
I can't accept that it's over
I will block the door
Like a goalie tending the net
In the third quarter of a tied-game of rivalry
So just say how to make it right
And I swear I'll do my best to comply
Tell me am I right to think
That there could be nothing better
Than making you my bride
And slowly growing old together?
I feel I must interject here
You're getting carried away
Feeling sorry for youself
With these revisions and gaps in history
So let me help you remember
I've made charts and graphs
That should finally make it clear
I've prepared a lecture on why I have to leave
So please back away and let me go
I can't, my darling, I love you so
Tell me am I right to think
That there could be nothing better
Than making you my bride
And slowly growing old together
Don't you feed me lines
About some idealistic future
Your heart won't heal right
If you keep tearing out the sutures
I admit that I have made mistakes
And I swear I'll never wrong you again
You've got allure, I can't deny
But you've had your chance so say goodbye
Say goodbye
Who can crack my ribs
And repair this broken heart
That you're deserting for better company?
I can't accept that it's over
I will block the door
Like a goalie tending the net
In the third quarter of a tied-game of rivalry
So just say how to make it right
And I swear I'll do my best to comply
Tell me am I right to think
That there could be nothing better
Than making you my bride
And slowly growing old together?
I feel I must interject here
You're getting carried away
Feeling sorry for youself
With these revisions and gaps in history
So let me help you remember
I've made charts and graphs
That should finally make it clear
I've prepared a lecture on why I have to leave
So please back away and let me go
I can't, my darling, I love you so
Tell me am I right to think
That there could be nothing better
Than making you my bride
And slowly growing old together
Don't you feed me lines
About some idealistic future
Your heart won't heal right
If you keep tearing out the sutures
I admit that I have made mistakes
And I swear I'll never wrong you again
You've got allure, I can't deny
But you've had your chance so say goodbye
Say goodbye
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The third quarter line doesn't make sense for another reason, no matter what the third quarter isn't that dire, it's not nearly as important as say a fourth quarter. anyway i've learned to live with that, by the way there are postal service music video's so Apple Shampoo, there goes that argument. Here's my question if your just going to bash the band or song why do it at all, I mean I like this song, I can relate to it, I've head more than a few girlfriends, I don't need you to tell me it sucks, cause to me it doesn't. The song is about deep lyrics, it's about imagery, all vivid imagery, "crack my ribs and repair this broken heart" really makes you see the pain. my two cents.