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.
Think I'll rename my heart, the calendar.
'Cause it'll surely know just when to end.
And I've been looking at you through the telephone,
As the photograph whispers that she isn't even home.
So alone, I bleed myself right in.
Unusual here breathing, inviting the silence.
But you're not here,
You're nowhere near at all.
Just skin and atmosphere.
And if it's not what you wanted,
Better get out now.
Alone it takes me,
Underneath it'll surely break me.
Underneath these things.
Twenty some years my parents let themselves leave.
I always swore that would never, ever be me.
And now you're looking at me through a new lens,
Your voice on the end doesn't understand anything, nor do I.
Paper cuts for me.
Prove me wrong, I want you to prove me wrong.
'Cause it'll surely know just when to end.
And I've been looking at you through the telephone,
As the photograph whispers that she isn't even home.
So alone, I bleed myself right in.
Unusual here breathing, inviting the silence.
But you're not here,
You're nowhere near at all.
Just skin and atmosphere.
And if it's not what you wanted,
Better get out now.
Alone it takes me,
Underneath it'll surely break me.
Underneath these things.
Twenty some years my parents let themselves leave.
I always swore that would never, ever be me.
And now you're looking at me through a new lens,
Your voice on the end doesn't understand anything, nor do I.
Paper cuts for me.
Prove me wrong, I want you to prove me wrong.
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This is really a good song! The lyrics and the vocals are simply too good!