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.
Amy's got a baby in her stomach
She took my hand I felt it kick
So she's crying an glowing
She's 3 months and showing
Seeing her now makes me want to live
But her man's got an angry mouth
He once told me to rot in hell
He's poisonous, reasonless,
Demons and Jesus
If he died it'd be just as well
So I'm having it out with the rain
It argues so long and so loud
It keeps tapping and talking
We're walking forever on 1st Avenue headed South
And all the traffic lights blur
Into a bright bouquet
My heart is in mothballs
It's been packed away
And I can't get to it no way
Until the Birds return for spring cleaning
All the traffic lights blur into a bright bouquet
I wish I could just turn and walk away
But I can't do it no way
Until the birds return for spring cleaning
She took my hand I felt it kick
So she's crying an glowing
She's 3 months and showing
Seeing her now makes me want to live
But her man's got an angry mouth
He once told me to rot in hell
He's poisonous, reasonless,
Demons and Jesus
If he died it'd be just as well
So I'm having it out with the rain
It argues so long and so loud
It keeps tapping and talking
We're walking forever on 1st Avenue headed South
And all the traffic lights blur
Into a bright bouquet
My heart is in mothballs
It's been packed away
And I can't get to it no way
Until the Birds return for spring cleaning
All the traffic lights blur into a bright bouquet
I wish I could just turn and walk away
But I can't do it no way
Until the birds return for spring cleaning
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i saw conor last night in DC and this was the only song he played that i didnt know by heart
amazing show