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.
Shake it off
Pick yourself up, they say
Your life fell apart in your hands, and you've got the scars to prove it
It's not the first time, and they're getting deeper
Pull it together
Button up your shirt
Roll down those sleeves
Don't let them see how you've coped
It's not the first time, and they're getting deeper
More and more your demeanor looks like quicksand
More and more your demeanor looks like quicksand
It seems like your giving up, giving up on everything you worked for
It seems like your giving up, giving up on everything you worked for
It's pulling you under
It's gripping around your throat
It's pulling you under
It's gripping around your throat
It seems like your giving up on everything
It seems like your giving up on everything
It's pulling you under
(It's pulling you under)
Life can be overwhelming
But don't turn your back on the strongest crutch you've ever had
(You've ever had)
They have always been there to brace your fall
Wave goodbye to the past
You've got your whole life to lead
Wave goodbye to the past
You've got your whole life to lead
Wave goodbye to the past
You've got your whole life to lead
Wave goodbye to the past
You've got your whole life to lead
You've got your whole life to lead
You've got your whole life to lead
It's time to gain some ground
Pick yourself up, they say
Your life fell apart in your hands, and you've got the scars to prove it
It's not the first time, and they're getting deeper
Pull it together
Button up your shirt
Roll down those sleeves
Don't let them see how you've coped
It's not the first time, and they're getting deeper
More and more your demeanor looks like quicksand
More and more your demeanor looks like quicksand
It seems like your giving up, giving up on everything you worked for
It seems like your giving up, giving up on everything you worked for
It's pulling you under
It's gripping around your throat
It's pulling you under
It's gripping around your throat
It seems like your giving up on everything
It seems like your giving up on everything
It's pulling you under
(It's pulling you under)
Life can be overwhelming
But don't turn your back on the strongest crutch you've ever had
(You've ever had)
They have always been there to brace your fall
Wave goodbye to the past
You've got your whole life to lead
Wave goodbye to the past
You've got your whole life to lead
Wave goodbye to the past
You've got your whole life to lead
Wave goodbye to the past
You've got your whole life to lead
You've got your whole life to lead
You've got your whole life to lead
It's time to gain some ground
Lyrics submitted by BulletproofScales
Composure Lyrics as written by Dustin Davidson Brent Rambler
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Capitol CMG Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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scars can be metaphorical but this song is very straight forward so I kinda think they they actually mean scars as self injury.. nevertheless, its a beautiful song