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.
(I realise)
All I want
All I need
Always lies just out of reach
I've been coming up empty
(I realise)
I ran as fast as I can run
I pushed as hard as anyone
But still there's nothing for me
(And I want)
I've tried as hard as I can
(And I need)
I've taken all I can stand
(And I fall)
But I am running a race
Against myself
Against myself, yeah
(I realise)
Running out, struggle on
And my sorrow is my song
My whole world is half parted
(I realise)
For my pain I have none
After all is said and done
Now I'm back where I started
(And I want)
I've gone as far as I can
(And I need)
I've taken all I can stand
(And I fall)
But I am running a race
Against myself
Against myself, yeah
(And I want)
I've tried as hard as I can
(And I need)
I've taken all I can stand
(And I fall)
But I am losing the race
Against myself
Against myself, yeah
Against myself
All I want
All I need
Always lies just out of reach
I've been coming up empty
(I realise)
I ran as fast as I can run
I pushed as hard as anyone
But still there's nothing for me
(And I want)
I've tried as hard as I can
(And I need)
I've taken all I can stand
(And I fall)
But I am running a race
Against myself
Against myself, yeah
(I realise)
Running out, struggle on
And my sorrow is my song
My whole world is half parted
(I realise)
For my pain I have none
After all is said and done
Now I'm back where I started
(And I want)
I've gone as far as I can
(And I need)
I've taken all I can stand
(And I fall)
But I am running a race
Against myself
Against myself, yeah
(And I want)
I've tried as hard as I can
(And I need)
I've taken all I can stand
(And I fall)
But I am losing the race
Against myself
Against myself, yeah
Against myself
Lyrics submitted by Shmeeper
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This is probably the song I enjoy the least on Splinter. It's still a decent song, but I like the lyrical content more than the music. The chorus has a nice hook, though. So, to reiterate what everyone else has already said: it's about taking so much of so many different kinds of abuse that eventually the only thing you're fighting for is your own sanity.