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.
It's later on a Wednesday, the sun is going down
I'm standing naked by a swimming pool, there's no one around
My imagination wanders back, red dust is always there
We lay together in the jungle, and love was in the air
As I dive into the water, both time and motion freeze
I'm hanging there suspended like a feather in the breeze
Below is your reflection, like an image from the past
But I can't be sure if it's really you, 'cause you're wearing a tribal
mask
Take it off, take off the mask, take it off, take off the mask
Take it off, take off the mask, take it off, take off the mask
There is no way of knowing how long I must remain
Dangling like a statue, and whispering your name
But suddenly it's over, and I begin to fall
But the swimming pool is empty now, no water there at all
I find myself in a room, empty and it's bare
With nothing but a mirror, and I know you're waiting there
I'm looking for an answer, but I don't know who to ask
I see my own reflection, but this time, I got the mask
I can't take it, I can't take it
I can't take it, I can't take it
Ah I can't take it, no
I can't take it, no, no
I can't take it, I can't take it
I can't take it, no, no, no
I'm standing naked by a swimming pool, there's no one around
My imagination wanders back, red dust is always there
We lay together in the jungle, and love was in the air
As I dive into the water, both time and motion freeze
I'm hanging there suspended like a feather in the breeze
Below is your reflection, like an image from the past
But I can't be sure if it's really you, 'cause you're wearing a tribal
mask
Take it off, take off the mask, take it off, take off the mask
Take it off, take off the mask, take it off, take off the mask
There is no way of knowing how long I must remain
Dangling like a statue, and whispering your name
But suddenly it's over, and I begin to fall
But the swimming pool is empty now, no water there at all
I find myself in a room, empty and it's bare
With nothing but a mirror, and I know you're waiting there
I'm looking for an answer, but I don't know who to ask
I see my own reflection, but this time, I got the mask
I can't take it, I can't take it
I can't take it, I can't take it
Ah I can't take it, no
I can't take it, no, no
I can't take it, I can't take it
I can't take it, no, no, no
Lyrics submitted by Major Valor
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A great song with some good imagery. I've always thought the song was about the different "faces" men and women wear when playing the Human Mating Game, describing our various behaviors (often superficial and contrary to our real feelings) as "masks".