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.
One and three, you're here
(one and three, you're here
To tell me we can't do this)
To tell me we can't do this
(three for three, I'll disagree)
Anymore
Your hair and face against the mirror
As I take the steps to save what's left of me
Someone's out when it's over
People steal from you
And they take anything they choose
It's good to see you
I missed you last night
That's such a lovely color
It goes with your eyes
But we fall asleep
I just wanted to say
This all seems so easy
But there's choices to make
Can't decide, then look at the faces
Candlelight
We're burning the pages
But ask us why
And hurting ourselves with this false start
Resign yourself
And always be (and we pretend)
Without the one (it simply gets easier)
Thing you need (but it doesn't get easier)
Reading words with no replies
When we have these mornings where we can say goodbye
I wanted to mean everything to you
But this isn't right
You keep coming back disassembled and I
Keep losing this fight
I won't
Answer
Dancing on this all I go
No one in the city knows
Confidence can take you
Nerves try to shake you
From going all the way
It's not that far
It's good to see you
I missed you last night
That's such a lovely color
It goes with your eyes
Before we fall asleep
Just wanted to say
This all seems so easy
There's choices to make
We watch the tide roll in
With cold air and coffeecake
Holding our words at list
Stopping the sounds they make
We know the way to go
We know each step to take
To be here
These words with no replies
Stopping we's and starting I's
This need is killing me
And taking me over
I wanted to mean everything to you
But this isn't right
You keep coming back disassembled and I
Keep losing this fight
(one and three, you're here
To tell me we can't do this)
To tell me we can't do this
(three for three, I'll disagree)
Anymore
Your hair and face against the mirror
As I take the steps to save what's left of me
Someone's out when it's over
People steal from you
And they take anything they choose
It's good to see you
I missed you last night
That's such a lovely color
It goes with your eyes
But we fall asleep
I just wanted to say
This all seems so easy
But there's choices to make
Can't decide, then look at the faces
Candlelight
We're burning the pages
But ask us why
And hurting ourselves with this false start
Resign yourself
And always be (and we pretend)
Without the one (it simply gets easier)
Thing you need (but it doesn't get easier)
Reading words with no replies
When we have these mornings where we can say goodbye
I wanted to mean everything to you
But this isn't right
You keep coming back disassembled and I
Keep losing this fight
I won't
Answer
Dancing on this all I go
No one in the city knows
Confidence can take you
Nerves try to shake you
From going all the way
It's not that far
It's good to see you
I missed you last night
That's such a lovely color
It goes with your eyes
Before we fall asleep
Just wanted to say
This all seems so easy
There's choices to make
We watch the tide roll in
With cold air and coffeecake
Holding our words at list
Stopping the sounds they make
We know the way to go
We know each step to take
To be here
These words with no replies
Stopping we's and starting I's
This need is killing me
And taking me over
I wanted to mean everything to you
But this isn't right
You keep coming back disassembled and I
Keep losing this fight
Lyrics submitted by all_is_vanity
Fractions Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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