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.
Where were you when I fell from grace?
A frozen heart, an empty space
Something's changed and it's in your eyes
Please don't speak, you'll only lie
I found treasure not where I thought
Peace of mind can't be bought
Still I believe
I just hang on
Suffer well
Sometimes it's hard
It's hard to tell
An angel led me when I was blind
I said, "Take me back, I've changed my mind"
And now I believe
From the blackest room, I was torn
He called my name, a love was born
So I believe
I just hang on
Suffer well
Sometimes it's hard
It's hard to tell
I just hang on
Suffer well
Sometimes it's hard
So hard to tell
A frozen heart, an empty space
Something's changed and it's in your eyes
Please don't speak, you'll only lie
I found treasure not where I thought
Peace of mind can't be bought
Still I believe
I just hang on
Suffer well
Sometimes it's hard
It's hard to tell
An angel led me when I was blind
I said, "Take me back, I've changed my mind"
And now I believe
From the blackest room, I was torn
He called my name, a love was born
So I believe
I just hang on
Suffer well
Sometimes it's hard
It's hard to tell
I just hang on
Suffer well
Sometimes it's hard
So hard to tell
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It is about Dave's near-death experience. And some say that Dave was speaking to Martin. Oh well...