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.
Baer might know some but he don't know me
when Mitchell calls us out he'd better leave my breast be
for I've got miners' eyes; in the dark they see
and I'll sing hallelujah
Oh oh oh oh oh
we'll sing hallelujah
It's been twenty years since a raise in pay
and the company store is gonna own my grave
the coal I dug they claimed was rock today
and I'll sing hallelujah
Oh oh oh oh oh
we'll sing hallelujah
So the time is right though times are bad
but it's the only job that I've ever had
wives hide their husbands' clothes so they won't scab
for them I'll sing hallelujah
Oh oh oh oh oh
we'll sing hallelujah
He said, "The coal you dig it ain't got no face
and it don't give a damn for religion or race
it's just coal looking to get out of this place
and we'll sing hallelujah."
Oh oh oh oh oh
we'll sing hallelujah
when Mitchell calls us out he'd better leave my breast be
for I've got miners' eyes; in the dark they see
and I'll sing hallelujah
Oh oh oh oh oh
we'll sing hallelujah
It's been twenty years since a raise in pay
and the company store is gonna own my grave
the coal I dug they claimed was rock today
and I'll sing hallelujah
Oh oh oh oh oh
we'll sing hallelujah
So the time is right though times are bad
but it's the only job that I've ever had
wives hide their husbands' clothes so they won't scab
for them I'll sing hallelujah
Oh oh oh oh oh
we'll sing hallelujah
He said, "The coal you dig it ain't got no face
and it don't give a damn for religion or race
it's just coal looking to get out of this place
and we'll sing hallelujah."
Oh oh oh oh oh
we'll sing hallelujah
Lyrics submitted by azkm
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
A mine is being closed down.