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.
the sweetest labor that my heart has known
is the field on which I stand
cause every single seed thats been sown
was put in the ground by my hand
and some times the sun goes down a little too soon
before the days work is through
and I keep on going by the light of the moon
when Id rather be home with you
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
I come home from the field
when its too dark to see
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
I can barely stand up
theres more to be done
oh, the bottom field needs to be plowed
and I never asked help from anyone
but Lord I can use some now
just give me the strength to make it back home
I cant work no more
and Lord let her be the first thing I see
when I crawl through that front door
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
to light my way back
from the night so black
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
well Im sick as a dog
and no one can help
oh, the pains more than I can bear
but still my thoughts drift
to the one sweet gift
the world that we share
and I hate for you to see me like this
oh I remember when I was strong
if I didnt have these IVs in my wrist
well Id hold you in my arms
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
this hospital bed
is where Ive to be
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
they say that I aint got long for this life
oh they say that its my time to go
darling youve been the most wonderful wife
that any man could know
well you stuck by me through thick and through thin
since the day you became my bride
and someday Ill hope to see you again
when we meet on the other side
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
even though just a memory
is all that Ill be
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
even though just a memory
is all that Ill be...
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
is the field on which I stand
cause every single seed thats been sown
was put in the ground by my hand
and some times the sun goes down a little too soon
before the days work is through
and I keep on going by the light of the moon
when Id rather be home with you
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
I come home from the field
when its too dark to see
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
I can barely stand up
theres more to be done
oh, the bottom field needs to be plowed
and I never asked help from anyone
but Lord I can use some now
just give me the strength to make it back home
I cant work no more
and Lord let her be the first thing I see
when I crawl through that front door
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
to light my way back
from the night so black
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
well Im sick as a dog
and no one can help
oh, the pains more than I can bear
but still my thoughts drift
to the one sweet gift
the world that we share
and I hate for you to see me like this
oh I remember when I was strong
if I didnt have these IVs in my wrist
well Id hold you in my arms
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
this hospital bed
is where Ive to be
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
they say that I aint got long for this life
oh they say that its my time to go
darling youve been the most wonderful wife
that any man could know
well you stuck by me through thick and through thin
since the day you became my bride
and someday Ill hope to see you again
when we meet on the other side
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
even though just a memory
is all that Ill be
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
even though just a memory
is all that Ill be...
would you leave the porchlight on for me?
Lyrics submitted by SoakedinMercury
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Another great WEW song here. I wish the word would get around on this guy, because he's great.
Straight forward folk song. A proud farmer used to ask his wife to leave the porch light on so he could see coming out of the fields late at night. He's stricken ill, and his dying wish is for her to continue to leave it on for him in memory. A sweet and heartbreaking song if i've ever heard one.