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.
There's things I know I should have mentioned sooner
But I didn't know how
I'm sorry I lost you
I never thought that this could come between us
I know it's water and bridges now
But what's the sense in carrying around
This weight? These words are tearing me apart
And that's enough for the back to break
That's an awful lot to take
But I've been paying for it since I drove my girl away
And that's the sign of a solemn man
I'll make the best of the best I can
And I'll be better for it if I ever get my chance
That face, I know exactly what you're thinking
But I'm certain this time is different
And that's why I can't pretend that everything is mended
I know I've tried to for too long now
But what's the sense in carrying around
This weight? These words are tearing us apart
And that's enough for the back to break
That's an awful lot to take
But I've been paying for it since I drove my girl away
And that's the sign of a solemn man
I'll make the best of the best I can
And I'll be better for it if I ever get my chance
Oh save me from a gray life
Oh save me from a gray life
I paid the price with my soul
Oh save me
And that's enough for the back to break
That's an awful lot to take
But I've been paying for it since I drove my girl away
And that's the sign of a solemn man
I'll make the best of the best I can
And I'll be better for it if I ever get my chance
If I ever get my chance
If I ever get my chance
If I ever get my chance
But I didn't know how
I'm sorry I lost you
I never thought that this could come between us
I know it's water and bridges now
But what's the sense in carrying around
This weight? These words are tearing me apart
And that's enough for the back to break
That's an awful lot to take
But I've been paying for it since I drove my girl away
And that's the sign of a solemn man
I'll make the best of the best I can
And I'll be better for it if I ever get my chance
That face, I know exactly what you're thinking
But I'm certain this time is different
And that's why I can't pretend that everything is mended
I know I've tried to for too long now
But what's the sense in carrying around
This weight? These words are tearing us apart
And that's enough for the back to break
That's an awful lot to take
But I've been paying for it since I drove my girl away
And that's the sign of a solemn man
I'll make the best of the best I can
And I'll be better for it if I ever get my chance
Oh save me from a gray life
Oh save me from a gray life
I paid the price with my soul
Oh save me
And that's enough for the back to break
That's an awful lot to take
But I've been paying for it since I drove my girl away
And that's the sign of a solemn man
I'll make the best of the best I can
And I'll be better for it if I ever get my chance
If I ever get my chance
If I ever get my chance
If I ever get my chance
Lyrics submitted by finallyfree
Water and Bridges Lyrics as written by Christopher Andrew Carrabba
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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i think its: "thats an awful lot to take" not "thats a lot for the mouth to take."
ahh i'm the first one?? i love this song!!
i think its about regret and trying to make things right in a relationship that had a lot of unhappiness to it. this reminds me of what i'm going through right now.. "can't pretend that everything is mended" is just like faking a smile and trying to veil whats really going on... he drove her away by things that happened.... "oh save me from a grey life" is just regret if he doesn't fix things....grey is always blah and nothing really that special and his girl was special.
Such an amazing song. It really means a lot to me, this is because I'm moving interstate, around 2,500km away from everyone I've ever known and loved. It makes me think of all the happy and sad time I've spent with my friends. And makes me think if I'll ever come back again and if I do, what would I be coming back to.
My favorite dashboard song to date. lyrics=perfect
incredible.
i agree that it is about regret in a failed relationship. one that actually meant something to the singer. yea i know how it feels as i feel that way right now. que sera sera. :-/
I actually think this song could be related to abortion.. obviously everyone will have their own meaning behind it, generally something that probably happened to them recently. So I guess mine would be this idea. It could be about the regret of a failed relationship indeed, but I sort of think the reason behind the failure would be aborting their unborn child. When he says he's been paying for it since he drove her away, I think he means that ever since he drove her away from that clinic and sensed the sadness and loss in her, he has felt total remorse. And then he goes on to say that's a sign of a dignified man, that he would feel remorse for killing his unborn child.. and he says that if he gets a chance to be a father again, this time he'll be ready for it, he'll be better for the part. Again, this is simply my interpretation of the song, and it is solely for the fact that I have recently gone through a situation just like this. But I don't think my meaning is too outrageous by any means. I could go much more in depth about it, but I don't want to ruin the meaning that others may have speculated on it, because like I said, everyone has their own opinions on what a song could mean to them.
best song, i think, in the alter the ending album..
polkadotbliss got it right. This song is very clearly about post-abortive regret. The lyrics could go many directions, but the title is an obvious hat tip to the Kenny Rodgers Track (later re-recorded by Collin Raye) of the same name. That song much more clearly spells out its theme of the lasting negative effects aborting your child. Another song that shares this theme is Freshman by the verve pipe. It similarly hides its meaning, and symbolically demonstrates the taboo nature of men voicing their emotions on a topic that society has claimed only can be spoken by a women. I think this is a great song, wasn't familiar with the band, and happened upon it by accident. Thumbs up!