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.
As a child he sees the mountain
and hopes that someday he will climb
As the same she sees the dancer
and trusts in the dreams she will find
As we reach into tomorrow
we all need to find something new
Could it be I've found the answer
'cause I know now that I'm ready
What I want is you
Chorus
Don't keep me waiting, hanging on the line
Keep me waiting. Oh yeah
And I know what you are thinking
If only I could take the time to choose
You'd better get it right, cause it's time to see the light
And the minutes keep on passing, Hey you don't want to lose
Chorus
Don't keep me waiting, hanging on the line
Keep me waiting, don't waste my precious time
Don't keep me waiting, the devil needs his due
Keep me waiting. Oh no, no no no
And all the hopes and dreams of the past
That are haunting my heart, held in my hand
And all lives keep on passing
Over and over and over again
Ain't no matter now what you say, gonna keep on up anyway
keep me waiting, hanging on the line
Keep me waiting, don't waste my precious time
Don't keep me waiting, the devil needs his due
Keep me waiting. Oh no, no no
and hopes that someday he will climb
As the same she sees the dancer
and trusts in the dreams she will find
As we reach into tomorrow
we all need to find something new
Could it be I've found the answer
'cause I know now that I'm ready
What I want is you
Chorus
Don't keep me waiting, hanging on the line
Keep me waiting. Oh yeah
And I know what you are thinking
If only I could take the time to choose
You'd better get it right, cause it's time to see the light
And the minutes keep on passing, Hey you don't want to lose
Chorus
Don't keep me waiting, hanging on the line
Keep me waiting, don't waste my precious time
Don't keep me waiting, the devil needs his due
Keep me waiting. Oh no, no no no
And all the hopes and dreams of the past
That are haunting my heart, held in my hand
And all lives keep on passing
Over and over and over again
Ain't no matter now what you say, gonna keep on up anyway
keep me waiting, hanging on the line
Keep me waiting, don't waste my precious time
Don't keep me waiting, the devil needs his due
Keep me waiting. Oh no, no no
Lyrics submitted by T-CAP75
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Wow! I am the first person to comment on this band, let alone this song! Now, my uncle plays bass in this band so if anybody (That is assuming that somebody will eventually post here; not a given) disses his playing style you'll have to answer to me! Now, this is the best song off the Heaven and Earth self-titled album. I couldn't really get into the album too much because I'm, well, I'm into more alternative music, but I appreciate the bluesy songs and Stuart Smith's (As well as the many guest stars; Kelly Hansen sings this song) playing style. This is without a doubt the catchiest song on the album, and is the one song on the album that I listen to regulary. The lyrics (Speaking about the whole album) may not have much depth, but are inspired. This, in my opinion, is a classic rock revivalist album, and it functions as that well.
I think this about one wanting to accomplish something, like a goal that one has, but for some reason, it's pushed back, and the narrator seems bent on accomplishing it now (That's where the "don't keep me waiting" line comes from). Nice song to put on when you are in a traffic jam or waiting in a long line, the lyrics fit the situation perfectly, lol.