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.
Jamaica was the lovely one
I played her well
As we lay in the tall grass
Where the shadows fell
Hiding from the children
So they would not tell
We would stay there
'Til her sister rang
The evening bell
Jamaica, say you will
Help me find a way to fill
These empty hours
Say you will
Come again tomorrow
The daughter of a captain
On the rolling seas
She would stare across
The water from the trees
Last time he was home
He held her on his knees
And said, the next time
They would sail away
Just where they pleased
Jamaica, say you will
Help me find a way to fill
These lifeless sails
And stay until
My ships can find the sea
Jamaica was a sweet young one
I loved her true
She was a comfort
And a mercy through and through
Hiding from this world together
Next thing I knew
We had brought her things
Down to the bay, what could I do
Jamaica, say you will
Help me find a way to fill
These sails
And we will sail until
Our waters have run dry
I played her well
As we lay in the tall grass
Where the shadows fell
Hiding from the children
So they would not tell
We would stay there
'Til her sister rang
The evening bell
Jamaica, say you will
Help me find a way to fill
These empty hours
Say you will
Come again tomorrow
The daughter of a captain
On the rolling seas
She would stare across
The water from the trees
Last time he was home
He held her on his knees
And said, the next time
They would sail away
Just where they pleased
Jamaica, say you will
Help me find a way to fill
These lifeless sails
And stay until
My ships can find the sea
Jamaica was a sweet young one
I loved her true
She was a comfort
And a mercy through and through
Hiding from this world together
Next thing I knew
We had brought her things
Down to the bay, what could I do
Jamaica, say you will
Help me find a way to fill
These sails
And we will sail until
Our waters have run dry
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I have thought that same thing - summer love, young love, vacation love. Probably Jamaica is not her name, but a family vacation trip that they took.
It would be fun to know that you were the one that had a fling with him when you were younger, and he wrote one of his first songs to you!
It's a great song - he does look so young there. I have loved growing up to JB and also seeing him grow and mature over the years. Also, David Lindley. Their "marriage" is just too cute. Once Jackson performed live on TV and he wore a David Lindley T-Shirt under his jacket. They've probably had a better relationship over the decades when most male/female relationships, hehe.
@parismatch I know Jackson Browne. He was never into men the way you are insinuating.