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.
I can recall my name - but it was not the same
I fear I'd gone astray - I've almost gone insane
Sometimes I still can hear - echoes of silent fears
But on that winter's day - you swept them all away
These were the times when I longed for the river
And I closed my eyes and yo laid your handy down on me
Mot just a burning sin - a candle in the wind
It was so much more - I want to thank you for
I can see you, still my friend
Still so deep inside of me
You filled my void, you let me fly
You broke my chains, you showed me life
You set me up, you made me true
I was back at the river with you
I fear I'd gone astray - I've almost gone insane
Sometimes I still can hear - echoes of silent fears
But on that winter's day - you swept them all away
These were the times when I longed for the river
And I closed my eyes and yo laid your handy down on me
Mot just a burning sin - a candle in the wind
It was so much more - I want to thank you for
I can see you, still my friend
Still so deep inside of me
You filled my void, you let me fly
You broke my chains, you showed me life
You set me up, you made me true
I was back at the river with you
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Here are the full lyrics
I can recall my name - but I was not the same I feared I'd gone astray - I've almost gone insane
Sometimes I still can hear - echoes of silent fears But on that winter's day - you swept them all away
These were the times when I longed for the river And I closed my eyes and you laid your hands down on me
Not just a burning sin - a candle in the wind It was so much more - I want to thank you for
These were the times when I longed for the river And I closed my eyes and you laid your hands down on me
I can see you, still my friend Still so deep inside of me
These were the times These were the times when I longed for the river And I closed my eyes and you laid your hands down on me
You filled my void, you let me fly You broke my chains, you showed me life You set me up, you made me true I was back at the river with you