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.
Tonight I lack the strength to even move
When you walked, now watch me die
But I know this is harder for you
For love has let you down
Yeah c'mon
I am not alone
And the road ahead is lined with broken dreams
So walk, yeah walk on by
And I failed to give you everything you need
For the fears, behind your eyes
When I can't feel you
I'm not alright, I'm not alright
When I can't feel you
I'm not alright, I'm not alright, I'm not alright
When I can't feel you
As Jesus as you throw me on the rocks
For love I left your side
'Cause I believed in love and beauty's wiles
Where Heaven shone from your eyes
Chained to your tree
I wanted you to say
I wanted you to say
I wanted to believe
Chained to your tree
I wanted you to say
I wanted you to say
Tell me that it wasn't all for naught
And it's such a waste now, it's such a waste now c'mon
'Cause I know your scared but baby don't you hide
And it's such a waste
You'll stand alone now, you'll make it somehow
When you walked, now watch me die
But I know this is harder for you
For love has let you down
Yeah c'mon
I am not alone
And the road ahead is lined with broken dreams
So walk, yeah walk on by
And I failed to give you everything you need
For the fears, behind your eyes
When I can't feel you
I'm not alright, I'm not alright
When I can't feel you
I'm not alright, I'm not alright, I'm not alright
When I can't feel you
As Jesus as you throw me on the rocks
For love I left your side
'Cause I believed in love and beauty's wiles
Where Heaven shone from your eyes
Chained to your tree
I wanted you to say
I wanted you to say
I wanted to believe
Chained to your tree
I wanted you to say
I wanted you to say
Tell me that it wasn't all for naught
And it's such a waste now, it's such a waste now c'mon
'Cause I know your scared but baby don't you hide
And it's such a waste
You'll stand alone now, you'll make it somehow
Lyrics submitted by forgettoforgive
Alright Lyrics as written by Chris Greenough William Keeley
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
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A lot of people have said the song is from the perspective of a ghost, which is partly true, however i don't think it's a "real" ghost, it's just how that person feels to the world and to himself when his love left him because she was no longer in love with him. He feels like he has no meaning anymore, he feels terrible, he's "not alright" when he can't affect her like he used to. She gave him so much joy, and he loved her with all his heart, but now he can't make himself feel better "When I can't feel you, I'm not alright", and he can't help heal her lost love either "when I can't heal you, im not alright"
"Harder for you for love has let you down." He still believes her to be much more important him and thinks she's suffering more than him because love has let her down, meaning he couldn't be the lover that she wanted/needed.
He also wants her to see his pain: "Chain me to your tree, I wanted you to see, I wanted you to see" He wants her to see the terrible state he's in and believe that maybe she can love him again.
The end of the song is the most powerful and meaningful to this story.
"Tell me that it wasn't all for naught"= They had such a great love and it meant so much to him. He'll be destroyed if after all this time and pain he's felt, that it means something very important to her as well.
Finally, the last verse is his realization that she's not coming back to him and he accepts this fate. He's sure she'll be fine without him and lets her go her own way:
"You'll stand alone now, You'll make it somehow"