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.
We're taught unconditional love,
That blood is thicker than water,
That a parent's world would revolve,
Always around their son or their daughter.
You pretend I was your own,
And even believed that you loved me.
But were always threatened by some
Invisible blood line that only you could see.
You took advantage of an outreached hand
And twisted it to meet your every need
"Gimme time to recharge my batteries,
I'll see her when she's older
And I'll bounce her on my knee"
Well listen to me you ungrateful fool,
Here comes a dose of reality.
You'll go to your grave a sad and lonely man,
The door is now closed on your
Pathetic little plan.
On and on and on and on it goes,
It's so easy to run away with
Nothing in tow.
How can you ever sleep a wink at night,
Pretending that everything is alright,
And have the nerve to blame this mess on me?
Never in my life have I seen someone
So Ignorant to the damage he has done.
You're the rotted root in the family tree.
I tried your 4 bill therapy,
I tried to make amends.
But nothing could lure you out of your
Selfish shell again.
Expecting everyone
To bow and kiss your feet.
Don't you see respect is not a
One way street?
Blaming everyone,
For all that you've done wrong.
I'll get my peace of mind when you
Hear this song.
On and on and on and on it goes,
And with every passing day
True colors show.
How can you ever sleep a wink at night,
Pretending that everything is alright,
And have the balls to blame this mess on me?
Never in my life have I seen someone
Oblivious to the damage he has done,
You're the rotted root in the family tree.
Watch where you walk,
Don't you dare cross the crooked step.
Watch the way you talk,
Don't cross the crooked step.
On and on and on and on it goes.
Chauvinistic, heartless, selfish,
Cold.
How can you ever sleep a wink at night,
Pretending that everything is alright,
And have the balls to blame this shit on me?
Never in my life have I seen someone
So fucking blind to the damage he has done,
You're the rotted root in the family tree
That blood is thicker than water,
That a parent's world would revolve,
Always around their son or their daughter.
You pretend I was your own,
And even believed that you loved me.
But were always threatened by some
Invisible blood line that only you could see.
You took advantage of an outreached hand
And twisted it to meet your every need
"Gimme time to recharge my batteries,
I'll see her when she's older
And I'll bounce her on my knee"
Well listen to me you ungrateful fool,
Here comes a dose of reality.
You'll go to your grave a sad and lonely man,
The door is now closed on your
Pathetic little plan.
On and on and on and on it goes,
It's so easy to run away with
Nothing in tow.
How can you ever sleep a wink at night,
Pretending that everything is alright,
And have the nerve to blame this mess on me?
Never in my life have I seen someone
So Ignorant to the damage he has done.
You're the rotted root in the family tree.
I tried your 4 bill therapy,
I tried to make amends.
But nothing could lure you out of your
Selfish shell again.
Expecting everyone
To bow and kiss your feet.
Don't you see respect is not a
One way street?
Blaming everyone,
For all that you've done wrong.
I'll get my peace of mind when you
Hear this song.
On and on and on and on it goes,
And with every passing day
True colors show.
How can you ever sleep a wink at night,
Pretending that everything is alright,
And have the balls to blame this mess on me?
Never in my life have I seen someone
Oblivious to the damage he has done,
You're the rotted root in the family tree.
Watch where you walk,
Don't you dare cross the crooked step.
Watch the way you talk,
Don't cross the crooked step.
On and on and on and on it goes.
Chauvinistic, heartless, selfish,
Cold.
How can you ever sleep a wink at night,
Pretending that everything is alright,
And have the balls to blame this shit on me?
Never in my life have I seen someone
So fucking blind to the damage he has done,
You're the rotted root in the family tree
Lyrics submitted by Idan, edited by Octavarium64, Psych0tr0n
Honor Thy Father Lyrics as written by John Petrucci John Myung
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Mike indeed wrote a hate song. I wonder if his Step Father has heard this song already.
I love the quotes. They add so much feeling to the song. Some of them are angry, others apologetic, and others still sad.
It's not Mike's real father because they're actually on good terms..
Yes, this is an anger song about Mike's relationship with his step father.<p><b><i>Edited by YtseJam on May 26 2004, at 03:40PM</i></b></p>
The part where you hear the guy saying "This is the regret that you make," etc. That's Earl Partridge from Magnolia, a really good movie by P.T. Anderson.
I recently purchesed the Live at Budokan DVD. What a shame this song was not on it. It rocks.
i've only recently heard of these but i think they are amazing! they are the best instrumentalists ever! and i love this song, its great to skate to.
or too rock out to...its ace, i've heard a lot about this song, but wioth regards to it being about his stepfather i agree "dont cross the crooked step" then the whole magnolia thing the sound clips are all about him hating his father etc...its an interesting song. with an ace drum intro
i wish i had someone to put this song under. but, i don't, lol. or i do but just don't understand why yet. hmmm, I LOVE JOHN PETRUCCI!
Right you are. John Petrucci is god.