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 remember waitin' by the curb with Mr. Murphy
When daddy picked me up from school his eyes were red
We drove to the hospital in a hurry
Where my family gathered round my Grandpa's bed
He was my best friend
He taught me how to fish
And I cried listenin' to my daddy pray
For one of those I've loved along the way
She had a ribbon in her hair the day I met her
That whole next year we couldn't get enough
And after graduation she took off for Denver
And for awhile we both tried to keep in touch
She was my best friend
And it broke my heart
But I don't regret the day that she became
One of those I've loved along the way
And I hope they know
I never woulda made it this far on my own
Where would we all be without those
Fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers
The friends I've made, the long lost lovers
I wouldn't be who I am today
If not for those I've loved along the way
Along the way
Now I'm just a country boy with a guitar
Lookin' back down this old road I've been travelin' on
It was never about tryin' to be some big star
For me it's always been about these songs
You see they're my best friends
They're the life I live
And I hope they put a smile on the face
Of those that I've loved along the way
'Cause I wouldn't be the man I am today
If not for those I've loved along the way
Along the way
Along the way
When daddy picked me up from school his eyes were red
We drove to the hospital in a hurry
Where my family gathered round my Grandpa's bed
He was my best friend
He taught me how to fish
And I cried listenin' to my daddy pray
For one of those I've loved along the way
She had a ribbon in her hair the day I met her
That whole next year we couldn't get enough
And after graduation she took off for Denver
And for awhile we both tried to keep in touch
She was my best friend
And it broke my heart
But I don't regret the day that she became
One of those I've loved along the way
And I hope they know
I never woulda made it this far on my own
Where would we all be without those
Fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers
The friends I've made, the long lost lovers
I wouldn't be who I am today
If not for those I've loved along the way
Along the way
Now I'm just a country boy with a guitar
Lookin' back down this old road I've been travelin' on
It was never about tryin' to be some big star
For me it's always been about these songs
You see they're my best friends
They're the life I live
And I hope they put a smile on the face
Of those that I've loved along the way
'Cause I wouldn't be the man I am today
If not for those I've loved along the way
Along the way
Along the way
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The way this song speaks to me🥺🥺when I sing it I feel like I relate
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this is one of the prettiest songs i have ever heard. this song is about the love that you have for people and the love they have for you. and about not having regrets when you lose someone that you have loved because their love has made you who you are today and you learned from them and that love. it's so pretty.