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 tried so hard to be good.
I really did;
to keep my comments inaudible,
to smooth the curl of distain
from my lips and nostrils.
I can't really help myself,
despite the kind of intentions
that de-motivate me
to give myself away
in small, bloody strips
to anyone who asks,
and some who don't.
[nothing helps]
I've tried to put everything
in the right place,
to find order, accomplishment,
accommodate.
Never to upset
the carefully orchestrated atmosphere
of those I attend to,
but could not help.
[this is an ugly thing]
Happiness could be yours,
absently.
I really did;
to keep my comments inaudible,
to smooth the curl of distain
from my lips and nostrils.
I can't really help myself,
despite the kind of intentions
that de-motivate me
to give myself away
in small, bloody strips
to anyone who asks,
and some who don't.
[nothing helps]
I've tried to put everything
in the right place,
to find order, accomplishment,
accommodate.
Never to upset
the carefully orchestrated atmosphere
of those I attend to,
but could not help.
[this is an ugly thing]
Happiness could be yours,
absently.
Lyrics submitted by a scar in the sky
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i can remember when my mate (who goes under the name of pAperworkpAperwork on here) put this on a pAper chAse compilation CD for me, and I was lisnin to it while strolling through my area. This track came on and that first line just freaked me out so much, it still does actually. Its just the sound behind it and the way he says "i tried so hard to be good" it really freaks me out lol this band have always terrified me, but in a good way