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're a canary
I'm a coal mine
'Cause sorrow is just all the rage
Take one for the team
You all know what I mean
And I'm so sorry
But not really
Tell the boys where to find my body
New York eyes
Chicago thighs
Pushed up the window to kiss you off
The truth hurts worse than anything
I could bring myself to do to you
The truth hurts worse than anything
I could bring myself to do to you
Do you remember the way I held your hand
Under the lamp post and ran home this way?
So many times I can close my eyes
The truth hurts worse than anything
I could bring myself to do to you
The truth hurts worse than anything
I could bring myself to do to you
(The truth hurts worse than anything)
(I could bring myself to do)
The truth hurts worse than anything
I could bring myself to do to you
The truth
The truth
I'm a coal mine
'Cause sorrow is just all the rage
Take one for the team
You all know what I mean
And I'm so sorry
But not really
Tell the boys where to find my body
New York eyes
Chicago thighs
Pushed up the window to kiss you off
The truth hurts worse than anything
I could bring myself to do to you
The truth hurts worse than anything
I could bring myself to do to you
Do you remember the way I held your hand
Under the lamp post and ran home this way?
So many times I can close my eyes
The truth hurts worse than anything
I could bring myself to do to you
The truth hurts worse than anything
I could bring myself to do to you
(The truth hurts worse than anything)
(I could bring myself to do)
The truth hurts worse than anything
I could bring myself to do to you
The truth
The truth
Lyrics submitted by shrodes, edited by Mellow_Harsher
I've Got All This Ringing in My Ears and None on My Fingers Lyrics as written by Andrew John Hurley Andrew Hurley
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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I've Got All This Ringing in My Ears and None on My Fingers song meanings
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Okie I'm just a bit to lazy to read through all the previous comments, but about the first line, I think he might be referring to like a canary diamond and hes a coalmine? I dont know, just a thought.