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.
Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today
Madam
Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today
She is sorry to be delayed
But last evening down in Lover's Lane she strays
Madam
Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today
When she woke up and found that her dream of love was gone
Madam
She ran to the man who had led her so far astray
And from under her velvet gown
She drew a gun and shot her love down
Madam
Miss Otis regrets, she's unable to lunch today
When the mob came and got her and dragged her from the jail
Madam
They strung her upon the old willow across the way
And the moment before she died
She lifted up her lovely head and cried
Madam
Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today
Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today
Madam
Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today
She is sorry to be delayed
But last evening down in Lover's Lane she strays
Madam
Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today
When she woke up and found that her dream of love was gone
Madam
She ran to the man who had led her so far astray
And from under her velvet gown
She drew a gun and shot her love down
Madam
Miss Otis regrets, she's unable to lunch today
When the mob came and got her and dragged her from the jail
Madam
They strung her upon the old willow across the way
And the moment before she died
She lifted up her lovely head and cried
Madam
Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today
Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today
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The first time I heard this tune, I was shocked. Then, I listened to it again, and you can just hear Miss Otis crying in Ella's voice. Absolutely wonderful. It almost makes me want to cry.
I'm currently rehearsing a production of the musical Red, Hot & Cole--basically a biography of Cole Porter, the writer of this song. I particularly like this song--don't know why. But the first time I heard this song--heard it without really listening for the tune or the words, really heard it--was just now, after a mini-fight with a friend (not really a fight, we exchanged insults but as far as I can tell we're still friends). I was kind of hurt by the things she said, though I didn't show it before. And this was the first time I ever thought of this song as really, truly sad, and not just a story of a woman with an odd name.
I believe this song was composed in a very short space of time as a result of Cole Porter being told in a restaurant by the waiter that his expected guest was delayed: Waiter: "Sir, I have a message for you - Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today". Cole Porter's imagination was excited by the possible reason and he coined the rather outlandish excuse as given in the lyrics! OK? Michael UK