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.
Ah
Oh, Lilian
Look what you've done
You've stripped my heart
Ripped it apart
In the name of fun
Oh, Lilian
I'm a poor man's son
And precious jewels
Weren't found in schools
Where I came from
Pain and misery always hit the spot
Knowing you can't lose what you haven't got
Oh, Lilian
I should have run
I should have known
Each dress you own
Is a loaded gun
Oh, Lilian
Ah
Ah
Ah
Oh, Lilian
I need protection
I hear your voice
And any choice I had is gone
Oh, Lilian
Once I begun
I couldn't stop 'til every drop
Of blood was sung
Pain and misery always hit the spot
Knowing you can't lose what you haven't got
Oh, Lilian
Look what you've done
You stripped my heart
Ripped it apart
In the name of fun
Oh, Lilian
Ah
Oh, Lilian
Ah
Oh, Lilian
Ah
Oh, Lilian
Ah
Oh, Lilian
Look what you've done
You've stripped my heart
Ripped it apart
In the name of fun
Oh, Lilian
I'm a poor man's son
And precious jewels
Weren't found in schools
Where I came from
Pain and misery always hit the spot
Knowing you can't lose what you haven't got
Oh, Lilian
I should have run
I should have known
Each dress you own
Is a loaded gun
Oh, Lilian
Ah
Ah
Ah
Oh, Lilian
I need protection
I hear your voice
And any choice I had is gone
Oh, Lilian
Once I begun
I couldn't stop 'til every drop
Of blood was sung
Pain and misery always hit the spot
Knowing you can't lose what you haven't got
Oh, Lilian
Look what you've done
You stripped my heart
Ripped it apart
In the name of fun
Oh, Lilian
Ah
Oh, Lilian
Ah
Oh, Lilian
Ah
Oh, Lilian
Ah
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Yes this is my favourite song from Playing the Angel. Ah its so great! I think its about this guy who is terribly in love with this girl, and shes just messing with him. And i think we all are in that spot at one point or another... are hearts take control an feel too much, and we get hurt in the end. Like MapMistress said, the girl in this song is in control, because her feelings arent as strong, and when your so in love with someone, they dont love you back - ultimately they can manipulate the relationship and hurt you. Its shitty overall, and it hurts like hell. i think its a great song to tell somone who hurt you "look at what youve done, stripped my heart, ripped it apart, in the name of fun."