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.
The dying light was nearly dead
By the time we reached the water's edge
We saw the river beating on the river bank
Oh the way that it held us in her river bed
It's cold, it's dark
It's not for people with uneasy hearts
But if you're with me on the other side
Strike up the band, we have survived
Oh do they beat that drum to get you back home
Or do they beat it to keep you away?
Don't be surprised at your regrets
Don't feel surprised that the water made you wet
There's a shallow down river where the water will forgive your soft skin
Your luke warm bets
Follow me
Oh follow me
Allow me to play the voyager
I'll try to keep you as dry as the hollowed out tree
That you would be wrapped in another man's fur
So take a dive
Oh take a dive
Oh take it out on the stepping stones that make the water lie
So take a dive
Oh take a dive
Take that hair out of your damned eyes
While the waves are away at the ???
Do they beat that drum to get you back home
Or do they beat it to keep you away?
Will you burn your bridges down
Singing la la la la la la la
Will you burn your bridges down
Singing la la la la la la la
Will you bang your drum to the brazen sound
Singing la la la la la la la
Will you turn away
How can you turn away
By the time we reached the water's edge
We saw the river beating on the river bank
Oh the way that it held us in her river bed
It's cold, it's dark
It's not for people with uneasy hearts
But if you're with me on the other side
Strike up the band, we have survived
Oh do they beat that drum to get you back home
Or do they beat it to keep you away?
Don't be surprised at your regrets
Don't feel surprised that the water made you wet
There's a shallow down river where the water will forgive your soft skin
Your luke warm bets
Follow me
Oh follow me
Allow me to play the voyager
I'll try to keep you as dry as the hollowed out tree
That you would be wrapped in another man's fur
So take a dive
Oh take a dive
Oh take it out on the stepping stones that make the water lie
So take a dive
Oh take a dive
Take that hair out of your damned eyes
While the waves are away at the ???
Do they beat that drum to get you back home
Or do they beat it to keep you away?
Will you burn your bridges down
Singing la la la la la la la
Will you burn your bridges down
Singing la la la la la la la
Will you bang your drum to the brazen sound
Singing la la la la la la la
Will you turn away
How can you turn away
Lyrics submitted by omegadaxer
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