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.
Never look her in the eyes
Never tell the truth
If she knows your paper
You know she'll have to burn you
Never tell the one you want that you do
Save it for the deathbed
When you know you kept her wanting you
And do everything she'd never do
Fall asleep with stranger's wives
The wild wives of unknown men
Good for you, you've just become
Just another one of them
Never say you miss her
Never say a word
And do everything she'd never do
Don't let her see your cardinal eyes
Let her treat you like a criminal
So you can treat her like a priest
Girls forgive my human mind
Girls forgive me one more time
Never tell the one you love that you do
Save it for the deathbed
And do everything she'd never do
Don't let her see your cardinal eyes
Don't let her see your cardinal eyes
Jesus Christ you have confused me
Cornered, wasted, blessed and used me
Forgive me girls I am confused
Stiff and pissed and lost and loose
Jesus Christ you have confused me
Cornered, wasted, blessed and used me
Forgive me girls I am confused
Stiff and pissed and lost and loose
Never tell the truth
If she knows your paper
You know she'll have to burn you
Never tell the one you want that you do
Save it for the deathbed
When you know you kept her wanting you
And do everything she'd never do
Fall asleep with stranger's wives
The wild wives of unknown men
Good for you, you've just become
Just another one of them
Never say you miss her
Never say a word
And do everything she'd never do
Don't let her see your cardinal eyes
Let her treat you like a criminal
So you can treat her like a priest
Girls forgive my human mind
Girls forgive me one more time
Never tell the one you love that you do
Save it for the deathbed
And do everything she'd never do
Don't let her see your cardinal eyes
Don't let her see your cardinal eyes
Jesus Christ you have confused me
Cornered, wasted, blessed and used me
Forgive me girls I am confused
Stiff and pissed and lost and loose
Jesus Christ you have confused me
Cornered, wasted, blessed and used me
Forgive me girls I am confused
Stiff and pissed and lost and loose
Lyrics submitted by SomethingClever
Cardinal Song Lyrics as written by Bryan Devendorf Aaron Dessner
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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Cardinals (the bird) mate for life. I think that this song is kind of about the "principle of least interest." The party least interested in a relationship has the most power. "If she knows you're paper, you know she'll have to burn you." If she figures out how much he really loves her, he fears that she'll lose interest in him. I've experienced this myself. By acting cold, distant and selfish, he's insuring that she'll stay around. A really sad but beautiful song.