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.
interpretive means by which we can find
this instinct lacks mobility
the veil that covers my face, the promise giving insight
alludes our memory
the promise, the veil, our memory
forged into a stance, complete strength, complete strength
undefine, what makes us will kill us
the promise giving insight, insight, insight
the memories and confines within our reach
yet out of our hands, out of our hands
yet within our reach
we arrive in a realization, this idea can be ever changing
there is no tie to bind our ideals to tradition
one motion forward, one accomplishment made, one way to say the past is inside, something we cannot hide, its part of what we are
the past is behind, the future includes, extended hand
extended to you
the past, the future, extended to you we arrive in a realization
uncover my face, undefine my voice
my face, my voice
this instinct lacks mobility
the veil that covers my face, the promise giving insight
alludes our memory
the promise, the veil, our memory
forged into a stance, complete strength, complete strength
undefine, what makes us will kill us
the promise giving insight, insight, insight
the memories and confines within our reach
yet out of our hands, out of our hands
yet within our reach
we arrive in a realization, this idea can be ever changing
there is no tie to bind our ideals to tradition
one motion forward, one accomplishment made, one way to say the past is inside, something we cannot hide, its part of what we are
the past is behind, the future includes, extended hand
extended to you
the past, the future, extended to you we arrive in a realization
uncover my face, undefine my voice
my face, my voice
Lyrics submitted by a scar in the sky
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!
straight from the liner notes:
"The inspiration for these words lies in the knowledge that we are always able to pursue the things we love the most. We do not need to remain in a complacent lifestyle."