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 crewed on a fair golden ship that
Went down with the dawn of the world
We mutinied and sentenced our captain to die
'Fore our sails had barley unfurled
But we sank shortly after our riot
Wanton flame and our powder kegs met
While I swam for my life there came voices aloft
Joyful unearthly and dread
Singing of a violent
Tireless mystery
That one would give his life to
Save his enemy
Too bone tired to keep my arms moving
To swim or even grasp after straws
The undertow drew me down into its cold
Its infinite indigo jaws
I heard singing of a violent
Tireless mystery
That one would give his life to
Save his enemy
I thought I must be dead or dreaming
When my captain, still battered, betrayed
Pulled me up, laid me over the beam that he'd clung to
Breathed his last, and sunk under the waves
Your body is a bridge
Across and endless sea
Went down with the dawn of the world
We mutinied and sentenced our captain to die
'Fore our sails had barley unfurled
But we sank shortly after our riot
Wanton flame and our powder kegs met
While I swam for my life there came voices aloft
Joyful unearthly and dread
Singing of a violent
Tireless mystery
That one would give his life to
Save his enemy
Too bone tired to keep my arms moving
To swim or even grasp after straws
The undertow drew me down into its cold
Its infinite indigo jaws
I heard singing of a violent
Tireless mystery
That one would give his life to
Save his enemy
I thought I must be dead or dreaming
When my captain, still battered, betrayed
Pulled me up, laid me over the beam that he'd clung to
Breathed his last, and sunk under the waves
Your body is a bridge
Across and endless sea
Lyrics submitted by faithinthethief, edited by ChipperSpiff, LibertyMark, DCmayz
The Great Exchange Lyrics as written by James Riley Breckenridge Eddie Breckenridge
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
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C.S. Lewis refers to Jesus as "our great Captain" in his sermon, "The Weight of Glory"
Interesting. Check out the Vhiessu b-side, "Weight of Glory". Great song. After reading some C.S. Lewis it's easier for me to see the influence he has on a lot of Thrice's lyrical work.