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.
I know you like her
Well I like her too
I know she likes you
It's not as if I'm being sent off to War
There are worse things in the world
There's still room on my wooden horse for two
I was Jonathan to your David
You're still King
Well, I'd thought about her
I dreamed she'd come, I'd make my escape
I thought she liked me but somehow I was wrong
I know you don't want it this way
But it's O.K.
It's not like we'll be parted
It's not like we'll never know love
And she'll smile for you
She'll hold your hand
You'll be in love there's no other way
And I will make it some day
I know you like her
Well I like her too
I know she likes you
It's not as if I 'm being sent off to War
There are worse things in the world
There's still room on my wooden horse for two
I was Jonathan to your David
You're still King
Visions of love recollected
Have we ever been true?
I know that I have, it's time for you to go
It's all int he stones that you throw
I want you to know
It's not like we'll be parted
It's not like we'll never know love
And she'll smile for you
She'll hold your hand
You'll be in love there's no other way
People say that
"We'll never change"
"We'll never change"
But I have
You and her in the local newspaper
You will be Married and you'll be gone
Married and you'll be gone
Well I like her too
I know she likes you
It's not as if I'm being sent off to War
There are worse things in the world
There's still room on my wooden horse for two
I was Jonathan to your David
You're still King
Well, I'd thought about her
I dreamed she'd come, I'd make my escape
I thought she liked me but somehow I was wrong
I know you don't want it this way
But it's O.K.
It's not like we'll be parted
It's not like we'll never know love
And she'll smile for you
She'll hold your hand
You'll be in love there's no other way
And I will make it some day
I know you like her
Well I like her too
I know she likes you
It's not as if I 'm being sent off to War
There are worse things in the world
There's still room on my wooden horse for two
I was Jonathan to your David
You're still King
Visions of love recollected
Have we ever been true?
I know that I have, it's time for you to go
It's all int he stones that you throw
I want you to know
It's not like we'll be parted
It's not like we'll never know love
And she'll smile for you
She'll hold your hand
You'll be in love there's no other way
People say that
"We'll never change"
"We'll never change"
But I have
You and her in the local newspaper
You will be Married and you'll be gone
Married and you'll be gone
Lyrics submitted by fratboy_rick
Jonathan David Lyrics as written by Christopher Geddes Campbe
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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yes, the song does have references to the Jonathan and David in the bible. But Jonathan and David were more than just friends, which makes sense because otherwise one could have chosen other "best friends" for this song. Jonathan and David were lovers, which the church doesn't like to admit. This song is about an equally well hidden love. the song isn't tragic because the singer loves his best friends girlfriend, but because he loves HIM. If you don't believe me, look it up on en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_and_David you will see there are different interpretations.