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.
Too young to fall
For a light I think I see
Can't say for sure
The plants have died,
My hair has grown
From the thought of you
Coming home
'Cause it ain't easier
Waking up at dawn
To find I lost my crown
If I found you there
With flowers in your hair
I'd hold you in my arms
Till we came back down
A smile that explodes
I could never understand
My room, too small
To get by without the help out alcohol
Pin my arm to the wall
Now I'm too gone to fight
Not afraid to fall
'Cause it ain't easier
Waking up at dawn
To find I lost my crown
If I found you there
With flowers in your hair
I' d hold you in my arms
Until we came back down
A smile that explodes
I could never understand
I write one more
Letter I won't send
Except for across the floor
For a light I think I see
Can't say for sure
The plants have died,
My hair has grown
From the thought of you
Coming home
'Cause it ain't easier
Waking up at dawn
To find I lost my crown
If I found you there
With flowers in your hair
I'd hold you in my arms
Till we came back down
A smile that explodes
I could never understand
My room, too small
To get by without the help out alcohol
Pin my arm to the wall
Now I'm too gone to fight
Not afraid to fall
'Cause it ain't easier
Waking up at dawn
To find I lost my crown
If I found you there
With flowers in your hair
I' d hold you in my arms
Until we came back down
A smile that explodes
I could never understand
I write one more
Letter I won't send
Except for across the floor
Lyrics submitted by music*ismyboyfriend
A Smile That Explodes Lyrics as written by Joseph Lyburn Arthur
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Featuring my beloved Julia Darling.