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.
Must have looked too deep into the mirror
Now we’re walking on a bed of broken glass
In a cloud of dust we can’t see clearer
See the shrouded jealous trail where dreams are smashed
See the bridge is thin and miles long
And the drop below seems to go on and on
See the river's fierce, and feel the wind's too strong
And the strength you feel inside is almost gone
Saw a devil whisper in your ear
A carnival of lies he pours into your mind
So tell me what you choose to hear
'Cause it’s only us that bring the dreams to life
See the bridge is thin and miles long
And the drop below seems to go on and on
See the river's fierce, and feel the wind's too strong
And the strength you feel inside is almost gone
Forced to collide 'till sparks ignite
By Faith or Fire live and die
Forced to collide 'till sparks ignite
Watch out for the shards that fly
Now we’re walking on a bed of broken glass
In a cloud of dust we can’t see clearer
See the shrouded jealous trail where dreams are smashed
See the bridge is thin and miles long
And the drop below seems to go on and on
See the river's fierce, and feel the wind's too strong
And the strength you feel inside is almost gone
Saw a devil whisper in your ear
A carnival of lies he pours into your mind
So tell me what you choose to hear
'Cause it’s only us that bring the dreams to life
See the bridge is thin and miles long
And the drop below seems to go on and on
See the river's fierce, and feel the wind's too strong
And the strength you feel inside is almost gone
Forced to collide 'till sparks ignite
By Faith or Fire live and die
Forced to collide 'till sparks ignite
Watch out for the shards that fly
Lyrics submitted by Elimination
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