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.
Until I've been in a hole for a long time or along the waves moving seas in a chase, before the evening closes in the hole, it's a still shadow, or maybe just a punch in the face, when retold, you can hear how all, the guns went off, stirring as they popped, and with that moment I would tell you everything I want, I'd just tell you all, but what's with the world and all, the visibly clear isn't adding up, maybe tonight it's that they're setting up some war with anyone
well, it grew up that fast, started taking the hole by the grasp, the strongest hold, fire warming my arms, puppet showmen perform, from the roadway behind us it projects along the wall, but if we accept that scene is all we know and gold is cloudy and dull, what exists outside of the hole, well I think I will try to turn and dodge, even face forward, to tell you all
then you showed them all, did it clear and now you can't even, bury the light, will you set it up, some war with everyone, you'd count on if I cared would they know, sucked in just let the waiting start, carry the light, were you setting up, all the shocks are in the endings along the wall
is this meaning we're stuck seated, beneath the floor as legs run by, we accept it's a seated row, necks chained move slow...couldn't see if you failed at all, but did you have it all, wait for the moment, somebody told me I'm over thinking it all
did I hide it all, way before, coming close, to vaguely recall, and if I have it all, passing by, hearing steps, it can't be them running, did they always go flailing around, a scenery change and some favorite sounds would mean it's always old, way better off, somebody should've told you you're over-thinking it all...when you have it all, a lazy town, cutting it close, racing around, and if it's always old, tap your toes, pretty soon you will be where you want, until you always go, leaning down, scenery shakes, new and bright with clouds, nowadays we're always told, we're way better off, and brave against sorrow, you can be bold...
well, it grew up that fast, started taking the hole by the grasp, the strongest hold, fire warming my arms, puppet showmen perform, from the roadway behind us it projects along the wall, but if we accept that scene is all we know and gold is cloudy and dull, what exists outside of the hole, well I think I will try to turn and dodge, even face forward, to tell you all
then you showed them all, did it clear and now you can't even, bury the light, will you set it up, some war with everyone, you'd count on if I cared would they know, sucked in just let the waiting start, carry the light, were you setting up, all the shocks are in the endings along the wall
is this meaning we're stuck seated, beneath the floor as legs run by, we accept it's a seated row, necks chained move slow...couldn't see if you failed at all, but did you have it all, wait for the moment, somebody told me I'm over thinking it all
did I hide it all, way before, coming close, to vaguely recall, and if I have it all, passing by, hearing steps, it can't be them running, did they always go flailing around, a scenery change and some favorite sounds would mean it's always old, way better off, somebody should've told you you're over-thinking it all...when you have it all, a lazy town, cutting it close, racing around, and if it's always old, tap your toes, pretty soon you will be where you want, until you always go, leaning down, scenery shakes, new and bright with clouds, nowadays we're always told, we're way better off, and brave against sorrow, you can be bold...
Lyrics submitted by ObscuredInDevotion
Understanding Fire Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
i f*cking love this song :)