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.
Oh, mama don't walk away
I'm a goddamn sore loser
I ain't too proud to stay
But I'm still thinking 'bout you
And I'm so lonesome without you
And I can't get you out of my mind
Oh, mama don't leave me
With my soul sat down so tight just like a stone cold tomb
Ain't it clear when I'm near you
I'm just dying to hear you
Calling my name one more time
Oh, so don't pay no mind
To my watering eyes
Must be something in the air
That I'm breathing
Yes, and try to ignore
All this blood on the floor
It's just this heart on my sleeve that's bleeding
Oh, mama don't walk away
You leave me here bereaving
From the words so hard and plain
Saying the love that we had
Was just selfish and sad
Yes, but to see you now with him, it's just
Making me mad
Oh so kiss him again
Just to prove to me that you can
I will stand here
And burn in my skin
Yes, I will stand here
And burn in my skin
I'm a goddamn sore loser
I ain't too proud to stay
But I'm still thinking 'bout you
And I'm so lonesome without you
And I can't get you out of my mind
Oh, mama don't leave me
With my soul sat down so tight just like a stone cold tomb
Ain't it clear when I'm near you
I'm just dying to hear you
Calling my name one more time
Oh, so don't pay no mind
To my watering eyes
Must be something in the air
That I'm breathing
Yes, and try to ignore
All this blood on the floor
It's just this heart on my sleeve that's bleeding
Oh, mama don't walk away
You leave me here bereaving
From the words so hard and plain
Saying the love that we had
Was just selfish and sad
Yes, but to see you now with him, it's just
Making me mad
Oh so kiss him again
Just to prove to me that you can
I will stand here
And burn in my skin
Yes, I will stand here
And burn in my skin
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This song was featured at the end of the 1st episode on the second season of "rescue me" and i must say, i've probably never seen such an emotional scene and it was mostly due to the song. I had to immediately find out who sang this song and download it. I've been listening to it constantly all day and everytime i can't believe the magnitude of his voice and the lyrics. What an incredible song. This is probably the single saddest (and not cheesy) song i've ever heard.