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.
If you go down with this ship
I will salute you from the shore
But there's no confidence in my eye, kid;
There's no winning.
And don't believe the history
Cos there's no love song in a war
Unless love is a booty
In your best friend.
And there's a poem in your mouth
But you won't ever let it out
Yes, t'is, so make sure to move out
To the country.
But don't you waste your time
Painting the handle of a gun
Because your colours will be shown
When you are fighting.
And there's a kid my age
Who died today.
So take the gold off your gate
Because property is hate
If it's their blood on your estates
If it's their kid that you take -
Now mama, I'm singing
For your mistakes.
I will salute you from the shore
But there's no confidence in my eye, kid;
There's no winning.
And don't believe the history
Cos there's no love song in a war
Unless love is a booty
In your best friend.
And there's a poem in your mouth
But you won't ever let it out
Yes, t'is, so make sure to move out
To the country.
But don't you waste your time
Painting the handle of a gun
Because your colours will be shown
When you are fighting.
And there's a kid my age
Who died today.
So take the gold off your gate
Because property is hate
If it's their blood on your estates
If it's their kid that you take -
Now mama, I'm singing
For your mistakes.
Lyrics submitted by kikaylabird
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