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 just sit there and let the thoughts flood
And I remind myself it's all right, it's all good, it's all love
It's not though 'cause there's a kink in the armor
A pothole I'm sinking in while I think of the drama
So I stand up, start to pace in my living room
Set my eye to the highway knowing that I'll play chicken soon
There's a vanity plate with my name on it
There's a Davey Crockett hat with a Masonic fat cat under it
A musket rifle spitting at my feet
They want me to dance in the middle of the street
And I respect my elders, so I do as I'm told
But I offset the bell curve when I do it with soul, losing control
Guilty feet do have rhythm, they just dance to
The wrong theme music to amuse the villain
Instead of killing, I'll spare the raccoon
And start filling sandbags as I stare at the moon
And let the thoughts flood
Blessed are those who are dammed when the levee broke
How many choked on the steps to a slow dance?
A staircase to a hug with no hands
Accountability hung out to dry on the line of command
We let the thoughts flood
We remind ourselves it's all right, it's all good, it's all love
It's not though 'cause there's a kink in the armor
A pothole I'm sinking in
Sharing a drink with my father
It's a family affair, the vanity we share
The waterline is rising, all we do is stand there
And I remind myself it's all right, it's all good, it's all love
It's not though 'cause there's a kink in the armor
A pothole I'm sinking in while I think of the drama
So I stand up, start to pace in my living room
Set my eye to the highway knowing that I'll play chicken soon
There's a vanity plate with my name on it
There's a Davey Crockett hat with a Masonic fat cat under it
A musket rifle spitting at my feet
They want me to dance in the middle of the street
And I respect my elders, so I do as I'm told
But I offset the bell curve when I do it with soul, losing control
Guilty feet do have rhythm, they just dance to
The wrong theme music to amuse the villain
Instead of killing, I'll spare the raccoon
And start filling sandbags as I stare at the moon
And let the thoughts flood
Blessed are those who are dammed when the levee broke
How many choked on the steps to a slow dance?
A staircase to a hug with no hands
Accountability hung out to dry on the line of command
We let the thoughts flood
We remind ourselves it's all right, it's all good, it's all love
It's not though 'cause there's a kink in the armor
A pothole I'm sinking in
Sharing a drink with my father
It's a family affair, the vanity we share
The waterline is rising, all we do is stand there
Lyrics submitted by brain_stew
Waterline Lyrics as written by Paul F. Landry Mark Isham
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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You can see the song however you want it to be. It could be to do with New Orleans or Himself. I think it's important where he says " WE let the thoughts flood/ WE remind ourselves" Earlier on it's I... Theres got to be some meaning there, i just can't pick it out.
Beautiful song, sage is a lyrical genius. Crack Pipes has to be one of my favourites...
Take care Phil