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.
All my trials and tribulations
Have led me to one realization
That no matter where I've been
I'm still stuck inside my skin
And I'm not trying to be something I'm not
Letting their thoughts get in 'cause I
Won't end up twisted and insane
All those fears and reservations
Ended up as amputations
Cause no matter where I've been
I'm still stuck inside my skin
And I'm not trying to be something I'm not
Letting their thoughts get in 'cause I
Won't end up twisted and insane
And I'm not trying to be something I'm not
Letting their thoughts get in 'cause I
Won't end up twisted and insane
And all my insecurities
and my anxieties
Tore out my insides
And it took a while to find
That I don't really mind
Life on the outside
So take up your aim and raise your rifles
Fire Away! 'Cause I don't really care at all
And I'm not trying to be something I'm not
Letting their thoughts get in 'cause I
Won't end up twisted and insane
And I'm not trying to be something I'm not
Letting their thoughts get in 'cause I
Won't end up twisted and insane
Have led me to one realization
That no matter where I've been
I'm still stuck inside my skin
And I'm not trying to be something I'm not
Letting their thoughts get in 'cause I
Won't end up twisted and insane
All those fears and reservations
Ended up as amputations
Cause no matter where I've been
I'm still stuck inside my skin
And I'm not trying to be something I'm not
Letting their thoughts get in 'cause I
Won't end up twisted and insane
And I'm not trying to be something I'm not
Letting their thoughts get in 'cause I
Won't end up twisted and insane
And all my insecurities
and my anxieties
Tore out my insides
And it took a while to find
That I don't really mind
Life on the outside
So take up your aim and raise your rifles
Fire Away! 'Cause I don't really care at all
And I'm not trying to be something I'm not
Letting their thoughts get in 'cause I
Won't end up twisted and insane
And I'm not trying to be something I'm not
Letting their thoughts get in 'cause I
Won't end up twisted and insane
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to ME it means....you have to overcome your self conciousness and insecurities...you have to be yourself...pretty obvious...
and yes...I hope they get back together sooner rather than later..but they HAVE been on hiatus for over a year now.