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.
Little bird, little bird, little bird
What do you hear?
The clink of morning cheers
Orange juice concentrate
Crossword puzzles start to grade
One across
Four letter word, it's just not sitting
Little bird, little bird, little bird
What do you see?
A picture perfect scene
Two toned lawns are manicured
The gardens wearing haute couture
It's hiding something
It's trying too hard
Hiding something
It's trying too hard
Little bird, little bird, little bird
Where are they now?
Day time TV lounge
A carriage clock, a mantle piece
A family wiped up, j cloth cleaned
Unsaid, festers in the throws of the sofa
Little bird, little bird, little bird
How are you feeling?
Like helping quarantine
Pearly whites, touch down smile
Haps and creases round the eyes
Tell tale, heart sail
We smell rats in the kitchen
Tell tale, heart sail
We smell rats in the kitchen
Little bird, little bird, little bird
What can we do?
A think tank think rescue
Simon says, etch a sketch
Send a golden message only he would get
Quickly now
'Cause this is not how it ends
Little bird, little bird, little bird
(Little bird, little bird, little bird)
Well I've got one more question
(Little bird, little bird, little bird)
And I swear I'll let it rest
Well I've just one more question
(Little bird, little bird, little bird)
And I swear I'll let it rest
One more question
I'll let it rest
I swear I'll let it rest
Got one more question
(And I swear I'll let it rest)
I've got one more question
Little bird, little bird, little bird
Where have you gone?
What do you hear?
The clink of morning cheers
Orange juice concentrate
Crossword puzzles start to grade
One across
Four letter word, it's just not sitting
Little bird, little bird, little bird
What do you see?
A picture perfect scene
Two toned lawns are manicured
The gardens wearing haute couture
It's hiding something
It's trying too hard
Hiding something
It's trying too hard
Little bird, little bird, little bird
Where are they now?
Day time TV lounge
A carriage clock, a mantle piece
A family wiped up, j cloth cleaned
Unsaid, festers in the throws of the sofa
Little bird, little bird, little bird
How are you feeling?
Like helping quarantine
Pearly whites, touch down smile
Haps and creases round the eyes
Tell tale, heart sail
We smell rats in the kitchen
Tell tale, heart sail
We smell rats in the kitchen
Little bird, little bird, little bird
What can we do?
A think tank think rescue
Simon says, etch a sketch
Send a golden message only he would get
Quickly now
'Cause this is not how it ends
Little bird, little bird, little bird
(Little bird, little bird, little bird)
Well I've got one more question
(Little bird, little bird, little bird)
And I swear I'll let it rest
Well I've just one more question
(Little bird, little bird, little bird)
And I swear I'll let it rest
One more question
I'll let it rest
I swear I'll let it rest
Got one more question
(And I swear I'll let it rest)
I've got one more question
Little bird, little bird, little bird
Where have you gone?
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!
I think that something else we can get from this song is to keep noticing little instances of beauty and goodness, too, though. Like, Imogen is suffering, but she sees this little bird (which may or may not be figurative, i don't know) and it strikes a chord of niceness inside her; something she can talk to.