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.
Take a walk
Out the gate you go and never stop
Past all the stores and wig shops
Quarter in a cup for every block
And watch the buildings grow
Smaller as you go
Down the tracks
Beautiful McMansions on a hill
That overlook a highway
With riverboat casinos and you still
Have yet to see a soul
Jesusland
Jesusland
Town to town
Broadcast to each house, they drop your name
But no one knows your face
Billboards quoting things you'd never say
You hang your head and pray
For Jesusland
Jesusland
Miles and miles
And the sun goin' down
Pulses glow
From their homes
You're not alone
Lights come on
As you lay your weary head on their lawn
Parking lots
Cracked and growing grass you see it all
From offices to farms
Crosses flying high above the malls
A longer walk
Through Jesusland
Jesusland
Out the gate you go and never stop
Past all the stores and wig shops
Quarter in a cup for every block
And watch the buildings grow
Smaller as you go
Down the tracks
Beautiful McMansions on a hill
That overlook a highway
With riverboat casinos and you still
Have yet to see a soul
Jesusland
Jesusland
Town to town
Broadcast to each house, they drop your name
But no one knows your face
Billboards quoting things you'd never say
You hang your head and pray
For Jesusland
Jesusland
Miles and miles
And the sun goin' down
Pulses glow
From their homes
You're not alone
Lights come on
As you lay your weary head on their lawn
Parking lots
Cracked and growing grass you see it all
From offices to farms
Crosses flying high above the malls
A longer walk
Through Jesusland
Jesusland
Lyrics submitted by goodreverend
Jesusland Lyrics as written by Benjamin Scott Folds Ben Folds
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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mcmansions = houses considered to be mansions, though theyre not as big as 'real' mansions.