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.
Well, it's always been my nature
To take chances
My right hand drawing back
While my left hand advances
Where the current is strong
And the monkey dances
To the tune
Of a concertina
Blood dryin' in my yellow hair
As I go from shore to shore
I know what it is
That has drawn me to your door
But whatever could it be
Makes you think
You've seen me before
Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
His eyes were two slits
Makin' a snake proud
With a face that any painter would paint
As he walked through the crowd
Worshiping a God
With the body of a woman
Well endowed
And the head of a hyena
Do I need your permission
To turn the other cheek?
If you can read my mind
Why must I speak?
No, I have heard nothing
About the man
That you seek
Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
In the valley of the giants
Where the stars and stripes explode
The peaches they were sweet
And the milk and honey flowed
I was only following instructions
When the judge
Sent me down the road
With your subpoena
When you cease to exist
Then who will you blame?
I've tried my best to love you
But I cannot play this game
Your best friend
And my worst enemy
Is one and the same
Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
There's a black Mercedes
Rollin' through the combat zone
Your servants are half dead
You're down to the bone
Tell me, tall man
Where would you like
To be overthrown
In Jerusalem or Argentina?
She was stolen from her mother
When she was three days old
Now her vengeance has been satisfied
And her possessions have been sold
He's surrounded by God's angels
And she's wearin' a blindfold
But so are you
Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
I see pieces of men marching
Trying to take Heaven by force
I can see the unknown rider
I can see the pale white horse
In God's truth name
Tell me what you want
And you'll have it of course
Just step into the arena
Beat a path of retreat
Up them spiral staircases
Pass the tree of smoke
Pass the angel with four faces
Begging God for mercy
And weepin'
In unholy places
Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, oh, Angelina
Oh, oh, Angelina
To take chances
My right hand drawing back
While my left hand advances
Where the current is strong
And the monkey dances
To the tune
Of a concertina
Blood dryin' in my yellow hair
As I go from shore to shore
I know what it is
That has drawn me to your door
But whatever could it be
Makes you think
You've seen me before
Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
His eyes were two slits
Makin' a snake proud
With a face that any painter would paint
As he walked through the crowd
Worshiping a God
With the body of a woman
Well endowed
And the head of a hyena
Do I need your permission
To turn the other cheek?
If you can read my mind
Why must I speak?
No, I have heard nothing
About the man
That you seek
Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
In the valley of the giants
Where the stars and stripes explode
The peaches they were sweet
And the milk and honey flowed
I was only following instructions
When the judge
Sent me down the road
With your subpoena
When you cease to exist
Then who will you blame?
I've tried my best to love you
But I cannot play this game
Your best friend
And my worst enemy
Is one and the same
Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
There's a black Mercedes
Rollin' through the combat zone
Your servants are half dead
You're down to the bone
Tell me, tall man
Where would you like
To be overthrown
In Jerusalem or Argentina?
She was stolen from her mother
When she was three days old
Now her vengeance has been satisfied
And her possessions have been sold
He's surrounded by God's angels
And she's wearin' a blindfold
But so are you
Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
I see pieces of men marching
Trying to take Heaven by force
I can see the unknown rider
I can see the pale white horse
In God's truth name
Tell me what you want
And you'll have it of course
Just step into the arena
Beat a path of retreat
Up them spiral staircases
Pass the tree of smoke
Pass the angel with four faces
Begging God for mercy
And weepin'
In unholy places
Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, oh, Angelina
Oh, oh, Angelina
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how could it not be ? nature to take chances, right vs. left handed, artist vs.thinker, one recording (boot at that), no other versions, never performed(same applies to SadEyedLady, Sara, on and on for a host of songs, out of respect for her one would assume, or legal agreement) angelina=little angel, search source of name dylan, blonde child of the sea, powerfully evocative lyrics, dylan at one of his finest moments, ONE i say, because there are literally hundreds of such moments/songs/lyrics/masterpieces, truly a master of his craft, and not a bad painter either !!