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.
The day you came
Naked, afraid
Young mother screams and pushes you
The day you came
Oh joy begin
Weak little thing
More precious there'll be nothing, no
Oh joy begin
Let's not forget these early days
Remember we begin the same
We lose our way in fear and pain
Oh joy begin
First just one step
One word and then
With laughter sing, oh life begin
First just one step
Let's not forget these early days
Remembering we began the same
We lose our way in fear and pain
Oh joy begin
Innocent kiss
Black magic bliss
First broken bone
Sudden and swift
Oh innocence
Let's not forget these early days
Remember we begin the same
We lose our way in fear and pain
Oh joy begin
Oh joy begin
Naked, afraid
Young mother screams and pushes you
The day you came
Oh joy begin
Weak little thing
More precious there'll be nothing, no
Oh joy begin
Let's not forget these early days
Remember we begin the same
We lose our way in fear and pain
Oh joy begin
First just one step
One word and then
With laughter sing, oh life begin
First just one step
Let's not forget these early days
Remembering we began the same
We lose our way in fear and pain
Oh joy begin
Innocent kiss
Black magic bliss
First broken bone
Sudden and swift
Oh innocence
Let's not forget these early days
Remember we begin the same
We lose our way in fear and pain
Oh joy begin
Oh joy begin
Lyrics submitted by planetearth
Samurai Cop (Oh Joy Begin) Lyrics as written by Carter Beauford Dave Matthews
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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The best on the record? I don't think so. Still, it's nice.