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.
This ship is sinking deeper and deeper
We've abandoned this vessel and left the captain for dead
Waves thirst for our passing,
waves thirst for our passing
Prepare for the struggle, prepare to engage
Our armor tight to the skin, this shield it bears his name
We are strapped to the teeth
But our swords are lodged tightly in our throats
We are going under
We cannot swim under these conditions
We're drowning quicker and quicker
We cannot swim, we cannot swim
We can't swim under these conditions
We are drowning quicker and quicker
We cannot swim, we cannot swim under these conditions
We have become what we have feared
We have become what we have feared
Being one with this world
We've become one with this world
Pray for heaven's titans to rain down, spare us the pain
We're going under, we're going under
Pray for heaven's titans to rain down, spare us the pain
We're going under, we're going under
under, under, under
We've abandoned this vessel and left the captain for dead
Waves thirst for our passing,
waves thirst for our passing
Prepare for the struggle, prepare to engage
Our armor tight to the skin, this shield it bears his name
We are strapped to the teeth
But our swords are lodged tightly in our throats
We are going under
We cannot swim under these conditions
We're drowning quicker and quicker
We cannot swim, we cannot swim
We can't swim under these conditions
We are drowning quicker and quicker
We cannot swim, we cannot swim under these conditions
We have become what we have feared
We have become what we have feared
Being one with this world
We've become one with this world
Pray for heaven's titans to rain down, spare us the pain
We're going under, we're going under
Pray for heaven's titans to rain down, spare us the pain
We're going under, we're going under
under, under, under
Lyrics submitted by xturnandforfeitx
Marianas Trench Lyrics as written by Dustin Davidson Brent Rambler
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
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I think the first 3 lines are metaphors for this world, talking about how a man without faith is like a boat tossed back and forth by the waves. (James) abandoning the ship, and leaving the captain for dead is talking about leaving this world behind, 'Waves thirst for our passing' is about how this world (Satan) is fighting for our souls, and wants us all dead, or at least enveloped by the sin.
the next three lines are about our fighting against it, saying they have put on the armor of God, and are ready to fight. but again, our offensive weapon 'sword' is lodged in our throat, meaning were afraid to speak with power and authority to overcome and attack. (or dont know how)
next 4 lines are simply stating the struggle, and theyre not going to make it. then the following 3 are of what happened.
the last two are of repentance, asking for help.
the fact that it is called Marainas trench, and digging into the song, its talking about how we (as christians) fail and end up in 'trenches' or 'ruts' that pulling us under, and into deeper sins.
those are my thoughts at least
YOU DONT THINK SHIT. stop hiding behind your religion and come up with your own theories. You dont practice what you preach so your words are shot and meaningless. who the fuck do you think you're? Your embarrassing GOD with your presumptious and one sided viewS.
Whoa buddy! what are you saying?! Your use of cursing obviously shows you have nothing better to do and lack the ability to express yourself in a more polite way. Also, how can we embarass the LORD with giving our opinion about a SONG! ChilesRico gave a great intereptation of what he thought. Were you angry or something while typing, cause your comment shows. Next time think before you go and try to bash somebody who actually knows the truth.
The opener to this song is absolutely fantastic.
As for the meaning, maybe it is about how in this world there are people all around you who influence you. You may start off having firm believes, but going on through life you will be challenged and you'll either have to stick with your beliefs or drop them off and just go with the flow of the world. Therefore, without firm beliefs and the never-ending influences of the world (said conditions) you may lose faith.
That's what I'm getting from it anyway. I also can see what Sweetnut is saying.
It's talking about how religion is decaying. Religion can't swim under the weight of all the controversy that is being brought to light in our modern world. The Religions of the world swam and flourished with the world of yesterday, before TV and Computers. Before we had people questioning it without being killed. Now those who aren't under its control don't perish, we have established scientific methods and gone against everything that different religions claimed.
The ship for religion has sailed, or more according to this song... Sunk. They are armed to the teeth, but their swords are lodged in their throats. This means they were prepared to defend their beliefs to the end, but their own ways have made them blind to the truth of the world today. It doesn't wait for anyone. If a religion can't catch up and evolve like .... EVOLUTION... it will sink into the depths of our past. Our grandparents all went to church, or knew people who did every week. This was common. I know about 2 people who go to church who are my age. Religion is dying.
But the bottom of the ocean is pretty cool.
sounds like its about losing faith, or putting material things above faith
I think it's more of a metaphor for how the country is creeping towards a recession and we aren't doing anything about it
but i think that it has more a religious tone to it rather than economic you know
First of all, this song is amazing. Definitely my fave off of Constellations.
I think that this song is about embracing the world and how that is killing us. We embraced the things of this world that we thought could save us, but instead it is killing us. The armor is weighing us down and causing us to drown and the sword is lodged in our throats. Then the meaning is explained with the lyrics: "We have become what we have feared.Being one with this world." These are just my thoughts.
I have to say this is definately my favorite song off the new album as well. Everything from how sexy the intro is to the "We can't swim under these conditions" part lol. But as for what it means, I think it is about people conforming into one giant group and no one is really themselves anymore. But this whole albums pretty deep and religious which I'm not really but the music still kicks ass :)
if you didn't know that The Mariana Trench is the deepest known part of the world. The trench is about 1580 miles long but has width of 43 miles. It reaches a maximum depth of about 11,034 meters (36,201 feet). Now you know cuz knowlodge is power. but this song is Fuking Amazing. love it.
YA MAN! Thanks for giving me that power brother.
FUCK! the intro is just plain SICK. as for the rest of the song... amazing. im not good on interpreting the meaning but heres a shot. possibly about losing your faith by having others influence you by there beleifs. idk possibly
the breakdown is siccckkkk
can't say it enough, but this intro IS sick. but i think this song is more than just losing faith while living in this world. i think the symbolism is of us on a ship with God and we choose to jump this ship and swim on our own in the world (the ocean). and 'we can't swim in these conditions' talks about how we can't swim on our own w/o God. and the armor w/ God's name on it speaks about how we're trying to take our faith with us into the world while leaving our 'captain for dead'
i dunno, my 2 cents
i think your exactly right