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.
Look at these people
Amazing how sheep will
Show up for the slaughter
No one condemning
You lined up like lemmings
You lead to the water
Why can’t they see what I see?
Why can’t they hear the lies?
Maybe the fee’s too pricey for them to realize
Your disguise is slipping
I think you’re slipping
Now that your savior’s
As still as the grave
You’re beginning to fear me
Like cavemen fear thunder
I still have to wonder
Can you really hear me?
I bring you pain, the kind you can’t suffer quietly
Fire up your brain, remind you inside you’re rioting
Society is slipping
Everything's slipping away, so
Go ahead, run away
Say it was horrible
Spread the word, tell a friend
Tell them the tale
Get a pic, do a blog
Heroes are over with
Look at him - not a word
Hammer meet nail
Then I win, then I get
Everything I ever -
All the cash, all the fame
And social change
Anarchy that I run
It’s Dr. Horrible’s turn
You people all have to learn
This world is going to burn!
Burn!
("Yeah it’s two R’s, H-O-R-R, yeah, right")
Burn!
No sign of Penny, good
I would give anything
Not to have her see
It’s going to be bloody
Head up, Billy, buddy
There’s no time for mercy
Here goes no mercy
Amazing how sheep will
Show up for the slaughter
No one condemning
You lined up like lemmings
You lead to the water
Why can’t they see what I see?
Why can’t they hear the lies?
Maybe the fee’s too pricey for them to realize
Your disguise is slipping
I think you’re slipping
Now that your savior’s
As still as the grave
You’re beginning to fear me
Like cavemen fear thunder
I still have to wonder
Can you really hear me?
I bring you pain, the kind you can’t suffer quietly
Fire up your brain, remind you inside you’re rioting
Society is slipping
Everything's slipping away, so
Go ahead, run away
Say it was horrible
Spread the word, tell a friend
Tell them the tale
Get a pic, do a blog
Heroes are over with
Look at him - not a word
Hammer meet nail
Then I win, then I get
Everything I ever -
All the cash, all the fame
And social change
Anarchy that I run
It’s Dr. Horrible’s turn
You people all have to learn
This world is going to burn!
Burn!
("Yeah it’s two R’s, H-O-R-R, yeah, right")
Burn!
No sign of Penny, good
I would give anything
Not to have her see
It’s going to be bloody
Head up, Billy, buddy
There’s no time for mercy
Here goes no mercy
Lyrics submitted by lillerina
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