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.
Take the light, and darken everything around me
Call the clowns, and listen closely, I'm lost without you
Call your name everyday, when I feel so helpless
I've fallen down, but I'll rise above this (rise above this)
Hate your mind, regrets are better left unspoken
For all we know this void will grow
And everything's in vain, distressing you, don't leave me open
Feels so right but I'll end this all before it gets me
Call your name everyday, when I feel so helpless
I've fallen down (fallen down) but I'll rise above this (rise above this)
Call your name everyday when I seem so helpless
I've fallen down (fallen down) but I'll rise above this (rise above this)
I'll mend myself before it gets me
I'll mend myself before it gets me
I'll mend myself before it gets me
I'll mend myself before it gets me
Call your name everyday, when I feel so helpless
I've fallen down (fallen down) but I'll rise above this (rise above this)
Forty-eight ways to say that I'm feelin' helpless
I've fallen down (fallen down) but I'll rise above this
Rise above this, rise above this, rise above this doubt
Call the clowns, and listen closely, I'm lost without you
Call your name everyday, when I feel so helpless
I've fallen down, but I'll rise above this (rise above this)
Hate your mind, regrets are better left unspoken
For all we know this void will grow
And everything's in vain, distressing you, don't leave me open
Feels so right but I'll end this all before it gets me
Call your name everyday, when I feel so helpless
I've fallen down (fallen down) but I'll rise above this (rise above this)
Call your name everyday when I seem so helpless
I've fallen down (fallen down) but I'll rise above this (rise above this)
I'll mend myself before it gets me
I'll mend myself before it gets me
I'll mend myself before it gets me
I'll mend myself before it gets me
Call your name everyday, when I feel so helpless
I've fallen down (fallen down) but I'll rise above this (rise above this)
Forty-eight ways to say that I'm feelin' helpless
I've fallen down (fallen down) but I'll rise above this
Rise above this, rise above this, rise above this doubt
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
To me this song is talking about losing his brother to suicide and knowing that Shawn has wanted to take his own life so he wants to mend himself before he does it. Meaning he wants help because now he understands the devastation of a loved one committing suicide and would not want to put anyone else through that.
Actually this song was written to cheer up his brother.. but after the song was written his brother killed hisself whiel they where on tour at the hotel they where satying in and during the video shoot they had to stop multiple times for shaun cause it was to hard for him.. this is probly my favotite song ever and i love seether =]