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 got a number on me, I got a number
Won't make it through the high noon sun
I am my father's son
And I am my father's son
His bed is made
I was a hero early in the morning
I ain't no hero in the night
I am my father's son
And I'll build a house inside of you
I'll go in through the mouth
I'll draw three figures on your heart
One of them will be me as a boy
And one of them will be me
And one of them will be me watching you run
Watching you run into the high noon sun
Watching you run farther than guns will go
You are a runner with a stolen voice
And you are a runner
And I am my father's son
I am my father's son
I am my father's son
Won't make it through the high noon sun
I am my father's son
And I am my father's son
His bed is made
I was a hero early in the morning
I ain't no hero in the night
I am my father's son
And I'll build a house inside of you
I'll go in through the mouth
I'll draw three figures on your heart
One of them will be me as a boy
And one of them will be me
And one of them will be me watching you run
Watching you run into the high noon sun
Watching you run farther than guns will go
You are a runner with a stolen voice
And you are a runner
And I am my father's son
I am my father's son
I am my father's son
Lyrics submitted by Relapser, edited by intertropicalconvergencezone
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I always thought the rhythm and the way he sang emphasised the stress he feels that he is turning into his father ("I am my father's son") and the thing about early in the morning and the night indicates how he has gradually changed into his father as his life went on. ...Probably not though.
Anyway, Wolf Parade are one of my favourite bands ever - they amaze me.