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.
Pick you up in the suburbs tomorrow.
We won't tell, they won't follow. Pack your bags, and put all your trust in me. Never had a gun to his head, that's what he said, that's why I shot him dead, with the vengeance that his daughter fed. I've always been a sucker for a brown eyed, punk rock girl, and for her I'd shoot the world. [CHORUS] Shoot him down. Shoot him down for all the nightmares. Shoot him down. What goes around will come around. Shoot him down. your father is also your pain. I love you and for us I'll shoot him down.
No remorse. We've got no time to look back. The cop is on our trail and we're driving in a Topaz. Stuck in no-man's land, between the body and mind. "Drop your gun!... Put your hands behind your head!" Turn around, pop a clip, hit him in his chest. Home free, and we're headed for the border. Spending time in Mexico, Tijuana. Drown our shame then start our lives again, in California. [CHORUS] Next thing I know, I'm all alone in a motel. No explanation, no letter goodbye. I can't promise much, but I do promise this. I promise to find you. So I can remind you. I loved you and for us I shot him down.
We won't tell, they won't follow. Pack your bags, and put all your trust in me. Never had a gun to his head, that's what he said, that's why I shot him dead, with the vengeance that his daughter fed. I've always been a sucker for a brown eyed, punk rock girl, and for her I'd shoot the world. [CHORUS] Shoot him down. Shoot him down for all the nightmares. Shoot him down. What goes around will come around. Shoot him down. your father is also your pain. I love you and for us I'll shoot him down.
No remorse. We've got no time to look back. The cop is on our trail and we're driving in a Topaz. Stuck in no-man's land, between the body and mind. "Drop your gun!... Put your hands behind your head!" Turn around, pop a clip, hit him in his chest. Home free, and we're headed for the border. Spending time in Mexico, Tijuana. Drown our shame then start our lives again, in California. [CHORUS] Next thing I know, I'm all alone in a motel. No explanation, no letter goodbye. I can't promise much, but I do promise this. I promise to find you. So I can remind you. I loved you and for us I shot him down.
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i know this song was already put, but this is a lot easier to read.