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 think we're heading in the same direction
When you go bit insane
I try to reason it’s too easy to give up on it
But I don’t wanna play this blame game again
We cover over all the things that bring us closer
And before you know it it's goodbye
So now you’ve said your piece
And I try to find a way to organize my mind
Stay on course, straight and true
And you, you think we’re heading in the right direction
but I don’t know if I do too
Cos I try to send a message
But you don’t wanna hear it
You're so obsessed with all the things they said and how they see us
I try to draw the anchor but you just cast another down
Don’t wanna go down with this ship
Don’t wanna go down (with this ship)
No I don’t wanna go down (with this ship)
I don’t wanna go down (with this ship)
No I don’t wanna go down (with this ship)
Cos I try to send a message but you don’t wanna hear it
You're so obsessed with all the things they said and how they see us
I try to draw the anchor but you just cast another
And I don’t wanna go down with this ship
I fly this flag forever but you don’t wanna see it
The way it was it’s how it is for you and you can’t leave it
We're only treading water, but slowly sinking deeper
And I don't wanna go down with this ship
I don't wanna go down with this ship
I don't wanna go down with this ship
When you go bit insane
I try to reason it’s too easy to give up on it
But I don’t wanna play this blame game again
We cover over all the things that bring us closer
And before you know it it's goodbye
So now you’ve said your piece
And I try to find a way to organize my mind
Stay on course, straight and true
And you, you think we’re heading in the right direction
but I don’t know if I do too
Cos I try to send a message
But you don’t wanna hear it
You're so obsessed with all the things they said and how they see us
I try to draw the anchor but you just cast another down
Don’t wanna go down with this ship
Don’t wanna go down (with this ship)
No I don’t wanna go down (with this ship)
I don’t wanna go down (with this ship)
No I don’t wanna go down (with this ship)
Cos I try to send a message but you don’t wanna hear it
You're so obsessed with all the things they said and how they see us
I try to draw the anchor but you just cast another
And I don’t wanna go down with this ship
I fly this flag forever but you don’t wanna see it
The way it was it’s how it is for you and you can’t leave it
We're only treading water, but slowly sinking deeper
And I don't wanna go down with this ship
I don't wanna go down with this ship
I don't wanna go down with this ship
Lyrics submitted by pavlova
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I know it's cliche but I think it's a song just about before a break up. I'd love to hear alternative interpretations though.