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 sense a runner in the garden
Although my judgements known to fail
Once built a steamboat in a meadow
Cos I'd forgotten how to sail
I know the runner's going to tell you
There ain't no cowboy in my hair
So now he's buried by the daisies
So I could stay the tallest man in your eyes, babe
I sense a spy up in the chimney
From all the evidence I've burned
I guess he'll read it in the smoke now
And soon to ashes I'll return
I know the spy is going to tell you
It's not my flag up in the pole
So now he's buried by the lilies
So I could stay forever more in your eyes, babe
I sense a leak inside my phone now
From all the lies I have told
I know he has your private number
And soon he'll make that vicious call
I know the leak is going to tell you
There ain't no puppy in your leash
So now he'll fertilize the roses
So I could stay the king you see
In your eyes, babe
In your eyes, babe
So now we're dancing through the garden
And what a garden I have made
And now that death will grow my jasmine
I find it soothing I'm afraid
Now there is no need for suspicion
There ain't no frog kissing your hand
I won't be lying when I tell you
That I'm a garner I'm a man
In your eyes babe
In your eyes, babe
In your eyes, babe
Although my judgements known to fail
Once built a steamboat in a meadow
Cos I'd forgotten how to sail
I know the runner's going to tell you
There ain't no cowboy in my hair
So now he's buried by the daisies
So I could stay the tallest man in your eyes, babe
I sense a spy up in the chimney
From all the evidence I've burned
I guess he'll read it in the smoke now
And soon to ashes I'll return
I know the spy is going to tell you
It's not my flag up in the pole
So now he's buried by the lilies
So I could stay forever more in your eyes, babe
I sense a leak inside my phone now
From all the lies I have told
I know he has your private number
And soon he'll make that vicious call
I know the leak is going to tell you
There ain't no puppy in your leash
So now he'll fertilize the roses
So I could stay the king you see
In your eyes, babe
In your eyes, babe
So now we're dancing through the garden
And what a garden I have made
And now that death will grow my jasmine
I find it soothing I'm afraid
Now there is no need for suspicion
There ain't no frog kissing your hand
I won't be lying when I tell you
That I'm a garner I'm a man
In your eyes babe
In your eyes, babe
In your eyes, babe
Lyrics submitted by darkteapot, edited by Mellow_Harsher, bcline, poopspeed, zetruz, allisonbrianne
The Gardener Lyrics as written by Kristian Matsson
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
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This song is about being insecure in a relationship.
He's finding his biggest enemy is himself. He knows his own weaknesses, insecurities, and past, and is constantly worried that his girl will find these out to. What he wants to be to her: The tallest man, the king, the puppy (something innocent). This is what she sees him as right now.
But, he is worried she will eventually know him as he knows himself and reject him. This is the runner, the spy, the leak- insecurity that would blow his cover and let on that he isn't as strong as he appears.
But, by the end of the song, we see he's conquered these self doubts or weaknesses. They dance in a beautiful garden, and no longer does he have to lie (...ain't no fraud), he believes in himself. He is a gardener, a man.
What a beautiful song about internal struggles that threaten a relationship, and conquering those insecurities.
Line by line:
Stanza 1- He has a pattern of self doubt and doesn't trust himself. He's worried she'll find out he's no cowboy (some ideal man).
Stanza 2- He's fought hard to cover up these insecurities or his past, burning evidence. He's worried the "spy" will read the evidence- and the narrator will go back to what he once was (ashes). The jig will be up. "not my flag up in the pole"- the narrator isn't the strong man he says he is, he is an imposter; this is what is trying to hide.
Stanza 3- He is covering up his weakness and feels like he is lying to her. He's not innocent- she is not with a "puppy".
Last Stanza- all sources of doubt in the relationship ship have been buried. He has overcome his own past, weakness, or insecurity (represented by killing those things) and now truly stands as the king, the tallest man, and doesn't have to lie about it. He can be honest and say he's a man to her and he isn't a fraud in saying that- he believes in himself.