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.
Fading, falling, lost in forever
Will I find a way to keep it together?
Am I strong enough to last through the weather
In the hurricane of my life?
Can it be a conscious decision?
That I look for ways to alter my vision?
Am I speeding towards another collision
In the alleyways of my life?
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Those who have fallen
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Those who have fallen
And please believe me
That my eyes deceive me
Don't stand me up
Just leave me
I have fallen again
This is the end
Pain redefined
Shaking, burning up with the fever
In the realm of pain, I am the deceiver
Now I lie to myself, so I can believer her
As she dissembles my life
I cannot dispel the illusion
All my hopes and dreams are drowned by confusion
Can I find a way to make a solution
That will reconfigure my life?
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Those who have fallen
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Those who have fallen
And please believe me
That my ears deceive me
Don't stand me up
Just leave me
I have fallen again
This is the end
Pain Redefined
And I know that stillness shatters
We have all been frightened by the
The sound of footsteps on the
Pavement of our lives
I stand and fight
I'm not afraid to die
Elochai
Bury me tonight
Please believe me
That the world deceives me
Don't stand me up
Just leave me
I have fallen again
This is the end
Pain Redefined
Will I find a way to keep it together?
Am I strong enough to last through the weather
In the hurricane of my life?
Can it be a conscious decision?
That I look for ways to alter my vision?
Am I speeding towards another collision
In the alleyways of my life?
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Those who have fallen
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Those who have fallen
And please believe me
That my eyes deceive me
Don't stand me up
Just leave me
I have fallen again
This is the end
Pain redefined
Shaking, burning up with the fever
In the realm of pain, I am the deceiver
Now I lie to myself, so I can believer her
As she dissembles my life
I cannot dispel the illusion
All my hopes and dreams are drowned by confusion
Can I find a way to make a solution
That will reconfigure my life?
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Those who have fallen
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Memories don't lie
You're no better than
Those who have fallen
And please believe me
That my ears deceive me
Don't stand me up
Just leave me
I have fallen again
This is the end
Pain Redefined
And I know that stillness shatters
We have all been frightened by the
The sound of footsteps on the
Pavement of our lives
I stand and fight
I'm not afraid to die
Elochai
Bury me tonight
Please believe me
That the world deceives me
Don't stand me up
Just leave me
I have fallen again
This is the end
Pain Redefined
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