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.
Your life passes you by, I live, you die
The arena's mine, I live, you die
Entry of the gladiators, 264 B.C
The emperors and nobles have made a pawn of me
I battle slaves and freemen and wild blood thirsty beasts
The red sand surrounds me, so they can't see them bleed
Your life passes you by (I live, you die)
The Reaper is near
Again the arena is mine (I live, you die)
I live, you die
Sword drawn and battle ready, Trajan in command
Fight 'til death 100 days, corpses of 2000 men
The masses they decide the fate of a fallen man
Thumbs down in drunken haste, life's taker and giver I am
Your life passes you by (I live, you die)
The Reaper is near
Again the arena is mine (I live, you die)
I live, you die
Innocent children dressed like the sacred lamb
Taken for Nero's slaughter, as the people look away
To the pit dogs they are prey, the people look away
I live, you die
Persecuted Christians in the blood soaked ring
Many over many lose their lives, peace to their soul it brings
The thrills from the kills, those that I have slain
Are keeping my heart pounding, I live another day
Your life passes you by (I live, you die)
The Reaper is near
Again the arena is mine (I live, you die)
I live again
Your life passes you by (I live, you die)
The Reaper is near
Again the arena is mine (I live, you die)
I live, you die
Die, die, die
The arena's mine, I live, you die
Entry of the gladiators, 264 B.C
The emperors and nobles have made a pawn of me
I battle slaves and freemen and wild blood thirsty beasts
The red sand surrounds me, so they can't see them bleed
Your life passes you by (I live, you die)
The Reaper is near
Again the arena is mine (I live, you die)
I live, you die
Sword drawn and battle ready, Trajan in command
Fight 'til death 100 days, corpses of 2000 men
The masses they decide the fate of a fallen man
Thumbs down in drunken haste, life's taker and giver I am
Your life passes you by (I live, you die)
The Reaper is near
Again the arena is mine (I live, you die)
I live, you die
Innocent children dressed like the sacred lamb
Taken for Nero's slaughter, as the people look away
To the pit dogs they are prey, the people look away
I live, you die
Persecuted Christians in the blood soaked ring
Many over many lose their lives, peace to their soul it brings
The thrills from the kills, those that I have slain
Are keeping my heart pounding, I live another day
Your life passes you by (I live, you die)
The Reaper is near
Again the arena is mine (I live, you die)
I live again
Your life passes you by (I live, you die)
The Reaper is near
Again the arena is mine (I live, you die)
I live, you die
Die, die, die
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