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'm not a stranger
No, I am yours
With crippled anger
And tears that still drip sore
A fragile flame aged
With misery
And when our eyes meet
I know you'll see
I do not want to be afraid
I do not want to die inside just to breathe in
I'm tired of feeling so numb
Relief exists I find it when
I am cut
I may seem crazy
Or painfully shy
And these scars wouldn't be so hidden
If you would just look me in the eye
I feel alone here and cold here
Though I don't want to die
But the only anesthetic that makes me feel anything kills inside
I do not want to be afraid
I do not want to die inside just to breathe in
I'm tired of feeling so numb
Relief exists I find it when
I am cut
Pain
I am not alone
I am not alone
I'm not a stranger
No, I am yours
With crippled anger
And tears that still drip sore
But I do not want to be afraid
I do not want to die inside just to breathe in
I'm tired of feeling so numb
Relief exists I found it when
I was cut
No, I am yours
With crippled anger
And tears that still drip sore
A fragile flame aged
With misery
And when our eyes meet
I know you'll see
I do not want to be afraid
I do not want to die inside just to breathe in
I'm tired of feeling so numb
Relief exists I find it when
I am cut
I may seem crazy
Or painfully shy
And these scars wouldn't be so hidden
If you would just look me in the eye
I feel alone here and cold here
Though I don't want to die
But the only anesthetic that makes me feel anything kills inside
I do not want to be afraid
I do not want to die inside just to breathe in
I'm tired of feeling so numb
Relief exists I find it when
I am cut
Pain
I am not alone
I am not alone
I'm not a stranger
No, I am yours
With crippled anger
And tears that still drip sore
But I do not want to be afraid
I do not want to die inside just to breathe in
I'm tired of feeling so numb
Relief exists I found it when
I was cut
Lyrics submitted by Amara_Tenou, edited by OpiateX, Numbr1KRfan
Cut Lyrics as written by Jeremy Bose Brandon Arbuckle
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Capitol CMG Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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First, I must say I am quite sadden to read that so many people cut themselves. I highly encourage all who relate to this song for this particular reason to seek help. Seriously.
That being said, my interpretation, used in the context of Vampire Diaries (a show that I don't watch but read Wiki entries about it), is a little different. It appears that one of these caracters was deeply hurt in the past and has some trust issues. For him to go this far in a relationship is pretty big, because he's opening himself to someone and last time he did, he was hurt. He's reluctant because he does not want to be hurt again. However, opening himself to her might also help him move on for good...