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.
Sun down on the sorry day
By nightlights the children pray
I know you're probably gettin' ready for bed
Beautiful woman get out of my head
I'm so tired of the same old crud
Sweet baby I need fresh blood
The moon shines on the autumn sky
Growin' cold the leaves all die
I'm more alone than I've ever been
Help me out of the shape I'm in
After the fires before the flood
My sweet baby I need fresh blood
Whatever trepidation you may feel
In your heart you know it's not real
In a moment of clarity
Some little act of charity
You gotta pull me out of this mud
Sweet baby I need fresh blood
By nightlights the children pray
I know you're probably gettin' ready for bed
Beautiful woman get out of my head
I'm so tired of the same old crud
Sweet baby I need fresh blood
The moon shines on the autumn sky
Growin' cold the leaves all die
I'm more alone than I've ever been
Help me out of the shape I'm in
After the fires before the flood
My sweet baby I need fresh blood
Whatever trepidation you may feel
In your heart you know it's not real
In a moment of clarity
Some little act of charity
You gotta pull me out of this mud
Sweet baby I need fresh blood
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!
Being from Hombre Lobo ('werewolf') and with the howls, it seems obvious to me it's about a werewolf, but as a metaphor for feeling like a beast. 'I'm so tired of the same old crud' 'Help me out of the shape I'm in' come over s double meanings, both as a monster that literally needs fresh blood and a desperate person that feels they need someone to lend them a hand and pull them out of their misery.