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.
A lock of my hair kept in your drawer
What are you doing that for
When you know I'm never coming home?
Trying so hard to save face
It's made my life a rat race
When my heart just really needed to roam
What are you thinking now, wanting me to love you
When I am learning how to take me off my shelf
What are you thinking now, wanting me to love you
When I am learning how to love myself
The box that you keep upon your shelf
The one in which you hide yourself
Walls so tall and narrow I can't breathe
What used to be my security
Now it binds and gags me
I pray that God will let me leave in peace
What are you thinking now, wanting me to love you
When I am learning how to take me off my shelf
What are you thinking now, wanting me to love you
When I am learning how to love myself
With fear in my heart, my sorrow grows
I'm leaving everything I know, world
So huge it's overwhelming me
Naked I stand to start my life
No longer anything to hide
The secret me I never wanted to see
What are you thinking now, wanting me to love you
When I am learning how to take me off my shelf
What are you thinking now, wanting me to love you
When I am learning how to love myself (x2)
What are you doing that for
When you know I'm never coming home?
Trying so hard to save face
It's made my life a rat race
When my heart just really needed to roam
What are you thinking now, wanting me to love you
When I am learning how to take me off my shelf
What are you thinking now, wanting me to love you
When I am learning how to love myself
The box that you keep upon your shelf
The one in which you hide yourself
Walls so tall and narrow I can't breathe
What used to be my security
Now it binds and gags me
I pray that God will let me leave in peace
What are you thinking now, wanting me to love you
When I am learning how to take me off my shelf
What are you thinking now, wanting me to love you
When I am learning how to love myself
With fear in my heart, my sorrow grows
I'm leaving everything I know, world
So huge it's overwhelming me
Naked I stand to start my life
No longer anything to hide
The secret me I never wanted to see
What are you thinking now, wanting me to love you
When I am learning how to take me off my shelf
What are you thinking now, wanting me to love you
When I am learning how to love myself (x2)
Lyrics submitted by bananahero
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