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 God, would I give her up to him
If she told me he was better
And that I didn't have the chance
That he did to impress her
Does she test me, does she know
That I would sooner turn and go
Than fight another, if that is what she have me do
And would she stop and hold me near
If she could see the future here
Would hold me if she held me to her too
I would not fight with hands or words
Another man no, that's absurd
Or would I end what victory betray me
Or is that what she's waiting on
A-pounding down one standing man
To kiss her in a blood embrace of victory
Or would I give her up at all
Because I know it could not be better
To live without what she provides
When we're alone and I undress her
Does she test me, does she know
That I would never turn and go
But fight another, if that's what she'd have me do
Charlie... I've been with another man
Aren't you gonna say anything?
You're just gonna sit there?
Oh Charlie, I didn't know when you were coming back
Or if you ever would.
I tell you the men around here don't respect anything
If I told you all the guys that called me up
And then Cliff, He didn't make a pass at me.
I mean he didn't even do it at all, Charlie
I knew what he wanted, but
he never did anything about it.
And then it just seemed like the two of us just had to.
I don't think I'm up for any more of this.
Why don't you go to bed ? I'll work this all out.
What are you gonna do ?
I'm just gonna sit here
Or is that what she's waiting on
A-pounding down one standing man
To kiss her in a blood embrace of victory
If she told me he was better
And that I didn't have the chance
That he did to impress her
Does she test me, does she know
That I would sooner turn and go
Than fight another, if that is what she have me do
And would she stop and hold me near
If she could see the future here
Would hold me if she held me to her too
I would not fight with hands or words
Another man no, that's absurd
Or would I end what victory betray me
Or is that what she's waiting on
A-pounding down one standing man
To kiss her in a blood embrace of victory
Or would I give her up at all
Because I know it could not be better
To live without what she provides
When we're alone and I undress her
Does she test me, does she know
That I would never turn and go
But fight another, if that's what she'd have me do
Charlie... I've been with another man
Aren't you gonna say anything?
You're just gonna sit there?
Oh Charlie, I didn't know when you were coming back
Or if you ever would.
I tell you the men around here don't respect anything
If I told you all the guys that called me up
And then Cliff, He didn't make a pass at me.
I mean he didn't even do it at all, Charlie
I knew what he wanted, but
he never did anything about it.
And then it just seemed like the two of us just had to.
I don't think I'm up for any more of this.
Why don't you go to bed ? I'll work this all out.
What are you gonna do ?
I'm just gonna sit here
Or is that what she's waiting on
A-pounding down one standing man
To kiss her in a blood embrace of victory
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I love this band usually, but not such a fan of this song. I don't know what it is exactly, maybe it just holds no relavence to my life. I don't know, thoughts?