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.
Well, all I saw was smoke and fire
I didn't feel a thing
But suddenly I was rising higher
And I felt like I just made
The biggest mistake
When I thought about my unborn child
When I thought about my wife
And the answer rang out clear
From somewhere up above
No greater gift has man
Than to lay down his life for love
And I wonder, would I give my life
Could I make that sacrifice (sacrifice)
If it came down to it could I take the bullet, I would
Yes, I would, for you, mm-mm
And maybe you don't understand
I don't understand it all myself
But there's a brother on my left and another on my right
And in his pocket just like mine
He's got a photograph
And they're waiting for him back home
And it's weighing on my mind
I'm not trying to be a hero
I don't wanna die
But right now in this moment
You don't think twice
I wonder, would I give my life
Could I make that sacrifice (sacrifice)
If it came down to it could I take the bullet, I would
Yes, I would
You don't think about right (oh-oh oh)
You don't think about wrong (oh-oh oh)
You just do what you gotta do
To defend your own (oh-oh oh)
And I'd do the same (oh-oh oh), for you
Yes, I would
Oh
Yes, I would
And I would give my life
I would make that sacrifice
'Cause if it came down to it could I take the bullet, I would
Yes, I would
I'd do it for you (oh-oh oh-oh)
I'd do it for you (oh-oh oh-oh-oh-oh)
Take the bullet (oh-oh), yeah (oh-oh)
Yes, I would (oh-oh oh-oh-oh-oh)
Oh-oh oh-oh
I didn't feel a thing
But suddenly I was rising higher
And I felt like I just made
The biggest mistake
When I thought about my unborn child
When I thought about my wife
And the answer rang out clear
From somewhere up above
No greater gift has man
Than to lay down his life for love
And I wonder, would I give my life
Could I make that sacrifice (sacrifice)
If it came down to it could I take the bullet, I would
Yes, I would, for you, mm-mm
And maybe you don't understand
I don't understand it all myself
But there's a brother on my left and another on my right
And in his pocket just like mine
He's got a photograph
And they're waiting for him back home
And it's weighing on my mind
I'm not trying to be a hero
I don't wanna die
But right now in this moment
You don't think twice
I wonder, would I give my life
Could I make that sacrifice (sacrifice)
If it came down to it could I take the bullet, I would
Yes, I would
You don't think about right (oh-oh oh)
You don't think about wrong (oh-oh oh)
You just do what you gotta do
To defend your own (oh-oh oh)
And I'd do the same (oh-oh oh), for you
Yes, I would
Oh
Yes, I would
And I would give my life
I would make that sacrifice
'Cause if it came down to it could I take the bullet, I would
Yes, I would
I'd do it for you (oh-oh oh-oh)
I'd do it for you (oh-oh oh-oh-oh-oh)
Take the bullet (oh-oh), yeah (oh-oh)
Yes, I would (oh-oh oh-oh-oh-oh)
Oh-oh oh-oh
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This song is incredible. I stumbled upon it a couple of weeks ago while searching for some of KU's imports, and became obsessed. I'm actually listening to it now. I played it on repeat for a week. It's such a great song.
And, as with every other song, this tells a true story for me. I love how I can relate to every single song Keith does. That's the mark of a true artist. And the music with this song is just amazing. I'm in love with it.