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.
First they ignore you
Then laugh at you and hate you
Then they fight you
Then you win
When the truth dies
Very bad things happen
They're being heartless
Again
I know, it's coming, there's gonna be violence
I've taken as much as I'm willing to take
Why do you think we should suffer in silence?
When a heart is broken there's nothing to break
You've been mixing
With some very heavy faces
The boys have done
A bit of bird
They don't kill their own
And they all love their mothers
But you're out of your depth son
Have a word
I know, it's coming, there's gonna be violence
I've taken as much as I'm willing to take
Why do you think we should suffer in silence?
The heart is broken there's nothing to break
All is wonderful in this life
Dreaming of the sun she warms
You should see me in the afterlife
Picking up the sons of dust
When you think we're lost, we're exploring
What you think is worthless, I'm adoring
You don't want the truth, truth is boring
I've got this fever need to
Leave the house
Leave the car
Leave the bad men where they are
I'll leave a few shells in my gun
And stop me starring at the sun
I know, it's coming, there's be gonna violence
I've taken as much as I'm willing to take
Why do you think we should suffer in silence?
My heart is broken there's nothing to break
Then laugh at you and hate you
Then they fight you
Then you win
When the truth dies
Very bad things happen
They're being heartless
Again
I know, it's coming, there's gonna be violence
I've taken as much as I'm willing to take
Why do you think we should suffer in silence?
When a heart is broken there's nothing to break
You've been mixing
With some very heavy faces
The boys have done
A bit of bird
They don't kill their own
And they all love their mothers
But you're out of your depth son
Have a word
I know, it's coming, there's gonna be violence
I've taken as much as I'm willing to take
Why do you think we should suffer in silence?
The heart is broken there's nothing to break
All is wonderful in this life
Dreaming of the sun she warms
You should see me in the afterlife
Picking up the sons of dust
When you think we're lost, we're exploring
What you think is worthless, I'm adoring
You don't want the truth, truth is boring
I've got this fever need to
Leave the house
Leave the car
Leave the bad men where they are
I'll leave a few shells in my gun
And stop me starring at the sun
I know, it's coming, there's be gonna violence
I've taken as much as I'm willing to take
Why do you think we should suffer in silence?
My heart is broken there's nothing to break
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o_O Anyways, I can't understand what Robbie meant either. I don't really like this song that much, maybe because it has become so popular, they always seem to lose their charm after they have been played thousands of times on the radio. Tried hard, but still can't find the meaning...
PS. I totally agree that he shouldn't have left his songwriter, his last album is not exactly his best work (at least that's my opinion).