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.
Take the long way home
She won’t wait up tonight
I can take the long way home
And there won’t be any fights
Tonight I can stay out late with the boys
Play cards and come in at dawn
Since she left me I’ve got a choice
I can take the long way home
No pictures on the wall
No carpet on the floor
No one ever calls
No one knocks on my door
It’s just a place where I sleep at night
But I can’t sleep alone
I think I’ll stop off and have a bite
And take the long way home
What makes a house a home
is sometimes hard to say
You never know all the riches you own
Till someone takes them away
The night is clear and my work is through
It’s a shame to be alone
I think I’ll go have a beer or two
I’ll take the long way home
I’ll just take the long way home
She won’t wait up tonight
I can take the long way home
And there won’t be any fights
Tonight I can stay out late with the boys
Play cards and come in at dawn
Since she left me I’ve got a choice
I can take the long way home
No pictures on the wall
No carpet on the floor
No one ever calls
No one knocks on my door
It’s just a place where I sleep at night
But I can’t sleep alone
I think I’ll stop off and have a bite
And take the long way home
What makes a house a home
is sometimes hard to say
You never know all the riches you own
Till someone takes them away
The night is clear and my work is through
It’s a shame to be alone
I think I’ll go have a beer or two
I’ll take the long way home
I’ll just take the long way home
Lyrics submitted by zacster
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