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.
We are sailing on a broken ship, but only one of us can survive
I don't wanna go,
I don't wanna go,
I don't wanna go
If it means you die
Grab that railing tight with all your might
Until we sink into the sea
Cello play us off
Cello play us off
Violin play us off dramatically
These streets are not my home,
Streets are not my home
They'll never be my home
Never be my home
You take nothing, turn it into something
All while sleeping on the floor
Just so you can see,
Just so you can see,
Just so you can see
What you never saw before
Grab that lever, speak into receiver
When your art is on the ground
Message just for you
Message just for you
Cryptic message falls without a sound
These streets are not my home,
Streets are not my home
They'll never be my home
Never be my home
Try to explain, but you don't understand
That I'm just not ready to make these kind of plans
Now that you're here with your head in your hands,
If it never really started how can it be over?
I don't wanna go,
I don't wanna go,
I don't wanna go
If it means you die
Grab that railing tight with all your might
Until we sink into the sea
Cello play us off
Cello play us off
Violin play us off dramatically
These streets are not my home,
Streets are not my home
They'll never be my home
Never be my home
You take nothing, turn it into something
All while sleeping on the floor
Just so you can see,
Just so you can see,
Just so you can see
What you never saw before
Grab that lever, speak into receiver
When your art is on the ground
Message just for you
Message just for you
Cryptic message falls without a sound
These streets are not my home,
Streets are not my home
They'll never be my home
Never be my home
Try to explain, but you don't understand
That I'm just not ready to make these kind of plans
Now that you're here with your head in your hands,
If it never really started how can it be over?
Lyrics submitted by LMK
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That's "railing," not "ceiling."
Incredible song - about being a struggling artist, I imagine.
I'm pretty it sure it's about the movie "titanic"... as ridiculous as that is.
Right you are, egn. Lyrics edited. I do things on the internet when I'm depreived of proper sleep...apologies.
This broken ship is a broken relationship. One person never took the relationship all that seriously and wants to end it once she realizes her partner was way more into it than she was.
broken relationship ? cmon.. titanic ? you obviously have a fobia for ships. im sticking to egn`s imagination
it's lame, but i'm pretty sure it's about Titanic. It kind of all makes sense. We're sailing on a broken ship? (sinking) Only one of us can survive. (Jack dies... SPOILER sorry) Cello play us off violin play us off dramatically. (Music playing while the ship is sinking)
I mean of course most of it is probably about some sort of relationship problem but I do believe that it was inspired by Titanic.
I think the song is about a starving artist that isn't mainstream enough to be popular. Partially from this lyric: "Cryptic message falls without a sound"