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.
Dear Jack
I'll write you as a friend
Dear Friend
I write I fear the end is coming soon
To you it's not so clear
It's clear to me
It's clear as glass
Dear Jack (x2)
Dear Hope
Attach it to the end of your rope
A rope that wove ambition in with sorrow
Distancing tommorow, tomorrows come and past
Dear Jack (x2)
You were the fighter
I was the kid against the world
I heard theres nothing gonna hold you down
I'll use a lighter so you can see what isn't there
We'll swing at air
Swinging off eventually you're bound
Bound to the ground
Dear Jack
Wherever you are hold tight
Wherever he is shine light right there
Be strong I dare
I know it's hard but I will wait
I will wait, yeah
You were the fighter
I was the kid against the world
I heard theres nothing gonna hold you down
I'll use a lighter so you can see what isnt there
We'll swing at air
Swinging off eventually you're bound
You're bound to the ground
I, I had songs for you
I had all your music written out
The words came when I heard you screaming
I, I, I, I had plans for you
Until the plans fell through
Now there is no turning back my dear jack
You were the fighter
I was the kid against the world
I heard theres nothing gonna hold you down
I'll use a lighter so you can see what isn't there
We'll swing at air
Swinging off eventually you're bound
You're bound to the ground
And oh, oh, oh
We're bound to the ground
bound to the ground
We're bound to the ground
I'll write you as a friend
Dear Friend
I write I fear the end is coming soon
To you it's not so clear
It's clear to me
It's clear as glass
Dear Jack (x2)
Dear Hope
Attach it to the end of your rope
A rope that wove ambition in with sorrow
Distancing tommorow, tomorrows come and past
Dear Jack (x2)
You were the fighter
I was the kid against the world
I heard theres nothing gonna hold you down
I'll use a lighter so you can see what isn't there
We'll swing at air
Swinging off eventually you're bound
Bound to the ground
Dear Jack
Wherever you are hold tight
Wherever he is shine light right there
Be strong I dare
I know it's hard but I will wait
I will wait, yeah
You were the fighter
I was the kid against the world
I heard theres nothing gonna hold you down
I'll use a lighter so you can see what isnt there
We'll swing at air
Swinging off eventually you're bound
You're bound to the ground
I, I had songs for you
I had all your music written out
The words came when I heard you screaming
I, I, I, I had plans for you
Until the plans fell through
Now there is no turning back my dear jack
You were the fighter
I was the kid against the world
I heard theres nothing gonna hold you down
I'll use a lighter so you can see what isn't there
We'll swing at air
Swinging off eventually you're bound
You're bound to the ground
And oh, oh, oh
We're bound to the ground
bound to the ground
We're bound to the ground
Lyrics submitted by annesmannequin
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!
More Featured Meanings
Ave Grave
Thee More Shallows
Thee More Shallows
Jesse with the long hair....
Robert Earl Keen, Jr.
Robert Earl Keen, Jr.
Classic love story true to his western tx roots. One of my favorites as a story, but I think there are alot of songs that are amazing not even listed on this site. I guess I should figure out how to add them, because I have about 8 REK cd's.
Show Me a Little Shame
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
He certainly did earn that reputation.
Battle Royale
Word Alive, The
Word Alive, The
This song is def a twin to "Unfair" (a song she has been quoted as saying is about falling in love with someone who is already in a relationship) so it is presumably about the same person. Given the references to buying an apartment and not being able to see her love interest "after tonight," it's most likely that she's moving away and she'll "wait a day to break the bad news" (i.e. notifying him that she's leaving once she's already gone).
And, of course, the fact that she sees in him a fellow "idealist" and "dreamer" (terms commonly given to people with the INFP personality on the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)) portends that she'll always be left wondering if they would've been perfect together.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Man now that I heard it I finally paid attention to the lyrics. It's so sad. I had leukemia as well, and while in the hospital I shared a room with a boy named Josh who had a very serious, complicated type of cancer. He didn't make it. Since then I've known many, many people, mostly kids younger than 18, that have died because cancer took their life. It is such an awful, awful shame. I will keep this song in my head and in my heart for all of the young lives lost due to cancer. =/