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.
Salvador Sanchez arrived and vanished
Only twenty-three with so much speed
Owning the highway
Mexico City bred so many
But none quite like him sweet warrior
Pure magic matador
Pancho Villa would never rest
'Til 1925 he closed his eyes
'Til Manilla stars would rise
Gozo of the Philippines, choirs and angels sing
Ukulele strings play for his legend
Italy had a king
How have they gone
Fell by leather
So alone
Bound together
Benny "kid" Paret came a good way
Climbed to the grey sky to raise his hands
Stopped by the better man
Eyes of Los Rios cry for suns
Lost on distant shores, unforeseen horrors
Struck and delivered him
How have they gone
Fell by leather
So alone
Bound together
Why have they gone
Fell by leather
So alone
All bound together
Only twenty-three with so much speed
Owning the highway
Mexico City bred so many
But none quite like him sweet warrior
Pure magic matador
Pancho Villa would never rest
'Til 1925 he closed his eyes
'Til Manilla stars would rise
Gozo of the Philippines, choirs and angels sing
Ukulele strings play for his legend
Italy had a king
How have they gone
Fell by leather
So alone
Bound together
Benny "kid" Paret came a good way
Climbed to the grey sky to raise his hands
Stopped by the better man
Eyes of Los Rios cry for suns
Lost on distant shores, unforeseen horrors
Struck and delivered him
How have they gone
Fell by leather
So alone
Bound together
Why have they gone
Fell by leather
So alone
All bound together
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Cead1 has it dead on.
Ghosts of the Philippines Choirs and angels sing Ukelele strings play for his legend Iloilo King
and then
Eyes of Las Villas cry for sons lost on distant shores; unforeseen horrors Struck and delivered him.
Thats the song ladies and gentlemen, mystery solved