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.
My my my, It's a beautiful world
I like swimming in the sea
I like to go out beyond the white breakers
Where a man can still be free,
Or a woman if you are one
I like swimming in the sea
My my my, It's a beautiful world
I like drinking Irish Tea
With a little bit of lap sang souchong
I like making my own Tea
My my my, It's a beautiful world
I like driving in my car
Roll the top down,
Sometimes I travel quite far
Drive to the ocean
Stare up at the stars
All around is anger, automatic guns
Death in large numbers, no respect for woman, or our little ones
I tried talking to Jesus, but he just put me on hold
Said he'd been swamped by calls this week
And He could not shake his cold
And still this emptiness persists
Perhaps this is as good as it gets
When you've given up the drink and those nasty cigarettes
Now I leave the party early at least with no regrets
I watch the sun as it comes up I watch it as it sets
Yeah this is as good as it gets
My my my, It's a beautiful world
I like sleeping with Marie
She is one sexy girl full of mystery
She says she doesn't love me, but she likes my company
For now that's good enough for me
I like swimming in the sea
I like to go out beyond the white breakers
Where a man can still be free,
Or a woman if you are one
I like swimming in the sea
My my my, It's a beautiful world
I like drinking Irish Tea
With a little bit of lap sang souchong
I like making my own Tea
My my my, It's a beautiful world
I like driving in my car
Roll the top down,
Sometimes I travel quite far
Drive to the ocean
Stare up at the stars
All around is anger, automatic guns
Death in large numbers, no respect for woman, or our little ones
I tried talking to Jesus, but he just put me on hold
Said he'd been swamped by calls this week
And He could not shake his cold
And still this emptiness persists
Perhaps this is as good as it gets
When you've given up the drink and those nasty cigarettes
Now I leave the party early at least with no regrets
I watch the sun as it comes up I watch it as it sets
Yeah this is as good as it gets
My my my, It's a beautiful world
I like sleeping with Marie
She is one sexy girl full of mystery
She says she doesn't love me, but she likes my company
For now that's good enough for me
Lyrics submitted by BlueAndStarry, edited by davidrb44
Beautiful World Lyrics as written by Mark Mothersbaugh Gerald V. Casale
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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