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.
I was the one
Who was undone till you picked me up
So, how did you fall so far from it all?
Thought you were my rock
So, why do you push me away?
I'm not gonna stand here and watch you go down
I love you too much, no, I won't let you drown
And it just comes with being the man that I am
So forgive me, forgive me for giving a damn
Listen to me, I can't compete with this trip you're on
And if you decide to take that ride, I won't come along
'Cause I know just where it leads
I'm not gonna stand here and watch you go down
I love you too much, no, I won't let you drown
And it just comes with being the man that I am
So forgive me, forgive me for giving a damn
I know you're scared and you just wanna run
'Cause I've been there
I know where you're coming from
I'm not gonna stand here and watch you go down
I love you too much, no, I won't let you drown
And it just comes with being the man that I am
So forgive me, forgive me for giving a damn
Forgive me for giving a damn
Who was undone till you picked me up
So, how did you fall so far from it all?
Thought you were my rock
So, why do you push me away?
I'm not gonna stand here and watch you go down
I love you too much, no, I won't let you drown
And it just comes with being the man that I am
So forgive me, forgive me for giving a damn
Listen to me, I can't compete with this trip you're on
And if you decide to take that ride, I won't come along
'Cause I know just where it leads
I'm not gonna stand here and watch you go down
I love you too much, no, I won't let you drown
And it just comes with being the man that I am
So forgive me, forgive me for giving a damn
I know you're scared and you just wanna run
'Cause I've been there
I know where you're coming from
I'm not gonna stand here and watch you go down
I love you too much, no, I won't let you drown
And it just comes with being the man that I am
So forgive me, forgive me for giving a damn
Forgive me for giving a damn
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