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.
I have such a envy for this stranger lying next to me
Who awakes in the night and slips out into the pre-dawn light
With no words, a clean escape, no promises or messes made
And chalks it all up to mistake, mistake, mistake
And there are no tears
Just pity and fear
No vast ravine
Right in between
A storm at sea the bow cracked and I was capsizing
And I sunk below where I swore I would never go
If you can't stand in place you can't tell there's walking away
From who remains, who stays, who stays, who stays
And there are no tears
Just pity and fear
No vast ravine
Right in between
Spare no tears
Just pity and fear
And I recall
The push more than the fall
The push more than the fall
Who awakes in the night and slips out into the pre-dawn light
With no words, a clean escape, no promises or messes made
And chalks it all up to mistake, mistake, mistake
And there are no tears
Just pity and fear
No vast ravine
Right in between
A storm at sea the bow cracked and I was capsizing
And I sunk below where I swore I would never go
If you can't stand in place you can't tell there's walking away
From who remains, who stays, who stays, who stays
And there are no tears
Just pity and fear
No vast ravine
Right in between
Spare no tears
Just pity and fear
And I recall
The push more than the fall
The push more than the fall
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Here's the top of the climax in the concept of Narrow Stairs.
Our character finally accepts it. He finally sees what he didn't so long ago. He realizes his mistake, and goes where he said he wouldn't go. He isn't sad about it. He just feels sorry for himself and is afraid of returning to the life he once lived. And finally, their relationship cracks and everything falls apart.
See the last song for the closing of our character's story.