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.
Oh, my talking bird
Though you know so few words
They're on infinite repeat
Like your brain can't keep up with your beak
And you're kept in an open cage
So you're free to leave or stay
Sometimes you get confused
Like there's a hint I am trying to give you
The longer you think, the less you know what to do
It's hard to see your way out
When you live in a house in a house
Cause you don't realize
That the windows were open the whole time
Oh, my talking bird
Though your feathers are tattered and furled
I'll love you all your days
Till the breath leaves your delicate face
It's all here for you as long as your choose to stay
It's all here for you as long as you don't fly away
Though you know so few words
They're on infinite repeat
Like your brain can't keep up with your beak
And you're kept in an open cage
So you're free to leave or stay
Sometimes you get confused
Like there's a hint I am trying to give you
The longer you think, the less you know what to do
It's hard to see your way out
When you live in a house in a house
Cause you don't realize
That the windows were open the whole time
Oh, my talking bird
Though your feathers are tattered and furled
I'll love you all your days
Till the breath leaves your delicate face
It's all here for you as long as your choose to stay
It's all here for you as long as you don't fly away
Lyrics submitted by TDDx8, edited by Aristas, catherinec
Talking Bird Lyrics as written by Benjamin Gibbard
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Here's another concept album interpretation on Narrow Stairs.
Our main character is the one speaking in this song. He is talking to Cath, calling her his talking bird. A talking bird suggests that in his eyes, she's treasured and adored as a pet bird would be. He tells her that he loves and and he will always be there for her, but that is she ever feels like she needs to, she's free to leave. He offers her everything he has, and tells her that it's all hers for the taking as long as she stays. It's a sweet thing to say, but what makes it difficult is that they aren't really together cause they love each other, but because they need someone so badly.
See the next song for further progression on our character's story.