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.
You fight me, flat on my lonely face I fell.
Finding in the end I live well.
In light of the life that I have found,
It's coming down.
I don't know what isn't real,
But it's easy
To beat me.
(Suck it in)
Life is sink or swim.
Love is blinding, no surviving.
I don't know what I want to be yet.
But I can show that I need to see this.
No time for lies and empty fights.
I'm on your side.
Can we live a life of peace and happiness?
I don't think so.
No denying I am scared to lose the things I love.
I'm in control.
This is how, this is how it's going to end.
This is how, this is how it's going to end.
End
Everyone is waiting here for everyone.
Leave me alone.
This is how, this is how it's going to end.
This is how, this is how it's going to end.
This is how, this is how it's going to end.
(No)
This is how, this is how it's going to end.
Finding in the end I live well.
In light of the life that I have found,
It's coming down.
I don't know what isn't real,
But it's easy
To beat me.
(Suck it in)
Life is sink or swim.
Love is blinding, no surviving.
I don't know what I want to be yet.
But I can show that I need to see this.
No time for lies and empty fights.
I'm on your side.
Can we live a life of peace and happiness?
I don't think so.
No denying I am scared to lose the things I love.
I'm in control.
This is how, this is how it's going to end.
This is how, this is how it's going to end.
End
Everyone is waiting here for everyone.
Leave me alone.
This is how, this is how it's going to end.
This is how, this is how it's going to end.
This is how, this is how it's going to end.
(No)
This is how, this is how it's going to end.
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"Can't we live a life of peace and happiness? I don't think so"
Love this line. I think of someone that dreams of peace only to find the reality isn't so pretty. We as humans are competitive and at times destructive. Kinda sad, but true. Fantasies are necessary, vital tools but when approaching reality its better to face the facts than be blindsided.