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.
She was so beautiful
Her memory still haunts me
She was so innocent
I will never again be free
I still see her lovely face
I still see the gentle curve of her hips
I still feel the touch of her soft, milk-white skin
Every time again when there's blood on my lips
Every time again when there's blood on my lips . . .
Dusk has arrived yet another time
I awake and leave my coffin
In the dark I hear an old bell chime
Sip from a chalice drained from a virgin
Countless centuries ago I burnt the rose
But it has forever stayed with me
Symbol of happiness to which I came so close
Alas, I know I never ever will be free
Was it a gift of pure love, or only a whim?
It was a present of a treacherous kind
Transformed into a token of sin
Nevermore to fade from my tortured mind
The rose still fills the castle's dark wing
Fear, respect and wealth have been my toll
But its vague images still are disturbing
Is some spark of light still hidden in my soul?
I have served Him very long and very well
But once there must have been another path
Since then I've gone too far on the road to Hell
To be able to stray from the way of wrath
Even if I could I would still not betray
Though thus I will never enjoy peace of mind
But I know I am destined to go this way
And on the opposite path only lies I'd find
But still the rose keeps haunting me
I am sure it'll never ever go away
I must carry its burden for all eternity
Most horrible when asleep during the day
Her memory still haunts me
She was so innocent
I will never again be free
I still see her lovely face
I still see the gentle curve of her hips
I still feel the touch of her soft, milk-white skin
Every time again when there's blood on my lips
Every time again when there's blood on my lips . . .
Dusk has arrived yet another time
I awake and leave my coffin
In the dark I hear an old bell chime
Sip from a chalice drained from a virgin
Countless centuries ago I burnt the rose
But it has forever stayed with me
Symbol of happiness to which I came so close
Alas, I know I never ever will be free
Was it a gift of pure love, or only a whim?
It was a present of a treacherous kind
Transformed into a token of sin
Nevermore to fade from my tortured mind
The rose still fills the castle's dark wing
Fear, respect and wealth have been my toll
But its vague images still are disturbing
Is some spark of light still hidden in my soul?
I have served Him very long and very well
But once there must have been another path
Since then I've gone too far on the road to Hell
To be able to stray from the way of wrath
Even if I could I would still not betray
Though thus I will never enjoy peace of mind
But I know I am destined to go this way
And on the opposite path only lies I'd find
But still the rose keeps haunting me
I am sure it'll never ever go away
I must carry its burden for all eternity
Most horrible when asleep during the day
Lyrics submitted by Elimination
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!