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 guess it's safe to say
You're never coming back
And I understand why you wouldn't want to
I guess it's up to me to find a way to get to you
And I can't see you
Getting used to
Living in the midst of your perfection
And I'm so lost
How can you trust?
Somewhere the sun is always shining
And there's just one last thing that I have to say
As we reflect on the mess of all of this I've made
It was cowardice that made me push you away
I was so afraid cause you were so much better than me
I guess it's safe to say you're never coming back
And I understand why you wouldn't want to
I guess it's up to me to find a way to get to you
You're never coming back
And I understand why you wouldn't want to
I guess it's up to me to find a way to get to you
And I can't see you
Getting used to
Living in the midst of your perfection
And I'm so lost
How can you trust?
Somewhere the sun is always shining
And there's just one last thing that I have to say
As we reflect on the mess of all of this I've made
It was cowardice that made me push you away
I was so afraid cause you were so much better than me
I guess it's safe to say you're never coming back
And I understand why you wouldn't want to
I guess it's up to me to find a way to get to you
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I read somewhere in the fine print on the CD that one of the band's best friends was lost at sea when his ship went down in a storm. They dedicated this EP to him. So I take this song to refer to him. "And I can't see you getting used to living in the midst of your perfection." It all kind of makes sense...with the album art... and "somewhere the sun is always shining..." That's how I take it. Great song.