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.
Pity, take pity on me.
Cause I'm not half the man that I should be.
Always turning to run,
From the people I should not be afraid of.
And darling, you should know
That I have fantasies about being alone.
It's like love is a lesson,
That I can't learn.
I make the same mistakes at each familiar turn.
I know you can't hold out forever
Waiting on a diamond and a tether
From a boy who won't swim
But who will dip his toe in
Just to keep you here with him.
I've got this habit I abhor.
When we go out I'm always watching the door.
Cause if there's someone I'm gonna see
Who could outdo the things that you do to me.
And I know you can't hold out forever
Waiting on a diamond and a tether
From a boy who won't fly
But who will take to the skies if he thinks you are about to say goodbye.
Pity, take pity on me.
Cause I'm not half the man that I should be.
And I don't blame you,
You've had enough,
Of all these empty promises and countless bluffs.
Cause I know you can't hold out forever
Waiting on a diamond and a tether
From a boy who won't jump when he falls in love.
He just stands with his toes on the edge
And he waits for it do disappear again.
Cause I'm not half the man that I should be.
Always turning to run,
From the people I should not be afraid of.
And darling, you should know
That I have fantasies about being alone.
It's like love is a lesson,
That I can't learn.
I make the same mistakes at each familiar turn.
I know you can't hold out forever
Waiting on a diamond and a tether
From a boy who won't swim
But who will dip his toe in
Just to keep you here with him.
I've got this habit I abhor.
When we go out I'm always watching the door.
Cause if there's someone I'm gonna see
Who could outdo the things that you do to me.
And I know you can't hold out forever
Waiting on a diamond and a tether
From a boy who won't fly
But who will take to the skies if he thinks you are about to say goodbye.
Pity, take pity on me.
Cause I'm not half the man that I should be.
And I don't blame you,
You've had enough,
Of all these empty promises and countless bluffs.
Cause I know you can't hold out forever
Waiting on a diamond and a tether
From a boy who won't jump when he falls in love.
He just stands with his toes on the edge
And he waits for it do disappear again.
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The first time I heard this last fall, I told myself two things:
It is THE saddest song I have ever heard
It is one of the top 5 greatest DCFC songs. EVER.
I admit that I put this song on repeat over and over again upon hearing it for the first time. Of course, I have been having love problems for sometime and I was in the mood for it, but nonetheless, I still consider it one of Gibbard's masterpieces. The interpretation I had is basically the same as all of yours, so there's no sense in me saying the same thing haha :P but I will say that this song is one of those that is truly captivating and will always be a favorite of mine.