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.
Hang in there child
Too much anger, not enough sway
A flashprint of pureness
We made it for a minute
And then the politics of the people
So fine is the line I tread
But the water is up to my head
And I watch you slowly sinking away
I've come to destroy 'cos there's nothing left to lose
I'm gonna fight dirty 'cos I gotta fight for you
Don't hide yourself away, don't be a mess
Don't beg me this, you used to say:
"If I can't have it, then I'll just hate it"
You can frown all you want
You can puff out your chest
You can light up your far off cigarette
You can turn on your heel
And you can hate me still
But babe, I will be coming back for you
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Won't panic
Won't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't...
You've been fighting with some demons for quite some time
And babe, I'd like to tell you how I sleep at night
With 5 stars around my head
Hold out your hand and watch it burn
Everything is flying in and out like birds diving
Your moment, your sphere, your crystal sounds
I'll sit in vain and I'll wheel myself out
Mutant bones clicking home
Free from feeling anything and you ask me:
"When will I be free?"
You can drink 'til you flee
And pretend you don't see
You can feel nothing for most of the time
You can laugh, you can joke
You can burn up your hope
But babe, I will be waiting in the back of the line
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
'Cos I'm lighting up
Times are hard, I know, but don't panic
Come sit, relax and it will all make sense
I will swallow your fright
I'll stay with you everyday to make sure you're safe
Don't paint your head with pity
I don't wanna phone home and find out you've freaked out
Just stay still and let me pull out what hurts you
Call me anytime and let me know
How you are, how it stands, what you need
Don't fuck around this is serious
I won't let you down
I won't let you go
I won't let you down
I won't let you go
I won't let you down
I won't let you go
I just wanna make you feel better
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
'Cos I'm lighting up
Lighting up
Lighting up
Lighting up...
Too much anger, not enough sway
A flashprint of pureness
We made it for a minute
And then the politics of the people
So fine is the line I tread
But the water is up to my head
And I watch you slowly sinking away
I've come to destroy 'cos there's nothing left to lose
I'm gonna fight dirty 'cos I gotta fight for you
Don't hide yourself away, don't be a mess
Don't beg me this, you used to say:
"If I can't have it, then I'll just hate it"
You can frown all you want
You can puff out your chest
You can light up your far off cigarette
You can turn on your heel
And you can hate me still
But babe, I will be coming back for you
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Won't panic
Won't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't...
You've been fighting with some demons for quite some time
And babe, I'd like to tell you how I sleep at night
With 5 stars around my head
Hold out your hand and watch it burn
Everything is flying in and out like birds diving
Your moment, your sphere, your crystal sounds
I'll sit in vain and I'll wheel myself out
Mutant bones clicking home
Free from feeling anything and you ask me:
"When will I be free?"
You can drink 'til you flee
And pretend you don't see
You can feel nothing for most of the time
You can laugh, you can joke
You can burn up your hope
But babe, I will be waiting in the back of the line
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
'Cos I'm lighting up
Times are hard, I know, but don't panic
Come sit, relax and it will all make sense
I will swallow your fright
I'll stay with you everyday to make sure you're safe
Don't paint your head with pity
I don't wanna phone home and find out you've freaked out
Just stay still and let me pull out what hurts you
Call me anytime and let me know
How you are, how it stands, what you need
Don't fuck around this is serious
I won't let you down
I won't let you go
I won't let you down
I won't let you go
I won't let you down
I won't let you go
I just wanna make you feel better
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
Don't panic
'Cos I'm lighting up
Lighting up
Lighting up
Lighting up...
Lyrics submitted by shrodes
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