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.
It's a cruel, cruel world to face on your own
A heavy cross to carry along
The lights are on but everyone's gone
And it's cruel
It's a funny way to make ends meet
When the lights are out on every street
It feels alright but never complete
Without joy
I checked you
If it's already been done, undo it
It takes two
It's up to me and you to prove it
On the rainy nights, even the coldest days
You're moments ago but seconds away
The principal of nature, it's true but
It's a cruel world
We can play it safe or play it cool
Follow the leader or make up all the rules
Whatever you want, the choice is yours
So choose
I checked you
If it's already been done, undo it
It takes two
It's up to me and you to prove it
I trust you
It's already been done, undo it
It takes two
It's up to me and you to prove it
I checked you
If it's already been done, undo it
It takes two
It's up to me and you to prove it
I trust you
A heavy cross to carry along
The lights are on but everyone's gone
And it's cruel
It's a funny way to make ends meet
When the lights are out on every street
It feels alright but never complete
Without joy
I checked you
If it's already been done, undo it
It takes two
It's up to me and you to prove it
On the rainy nights, even the coldest days
You're moments ago but seconds away
The principal of nature, it's true but
It's a cruel world
We can play it safe or play it cool
Follow the leader or make up all the rules
Whatever you want, the choice is yours
So choose
I checked you
If it's already been done, undo it
It takes two
It's up to me and you to prove it
I trust you
It's already been done, undo it
It takes two
It's up to me and you to prove it
I checked you
If it's already been done, undo it
It takes two
It's up to me and you to prove it
I trust you
Lyrics submitted by MCRfanatic
Heavy Cross Lyrics as written by Mary Beth Patterson Hannah Blilie
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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It's a funny way to make ends meet When the lights are out on every street It feels alright but never complete Without joy
NO! Without you!
This is love song and it is fantastic. She wants her love to make up his/hers mind. To choose. She is thinking about him/her all the time. Moments ago, seconds away. Remember being in love? She is waiting and it is cruel to wait but is a principal of love, and nature, to wait for the other to decide. She trust her love to undo whatever is keeping him or her away, or at least to choose. No trust without love. No love without trust.