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.
Leaning on a broken crutch, seen a lot but ain't done much
Sleeping through a pile of good intentions
Had a plan it's here somewhere, underneath this padded chair
Between the couch and the television
Well, morning makes a claim and again I'll play the game
But first, there's something I've just got to say
Is that really me in the mirror, is that me in this picture?
Could it be I've lived through all those years?
Is that me in the mirror, I can see someone familiar
But it seems the laughter and the tears have all but passed him by
Hey here comes Father Time holding up a cardboard sign
Says "any day could be the end" now
Never knew what he was about, I always laughed and kicked him out
He just said "Hey, that's okay" now
Well, here's another day, it's free to throw away
But first there's something I've just got to say
Is that me in the mirror, is that me in this picture
Could it be I've lived through all those years?
Is that me in the mirror, I can see someone familiar
But it seems the laughter and the tears have all but passed him by
Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the one that dropped the ball?
Hey babe let's take a ride, man I've got to blow this dive
I don't care where we go now
Hit the road and have some fun, checking out while we're still young
We'll heave the TV out the window
So here's another day, let's make the bastards pay
But first there's something I've just got to say
Is that me?
Sleeping through a pile of good intentions
Had a plan it's here somewhere, underneath this padded chair
Between the couch and the television
Well, morning makes a claim and again I'll play the game
But first, there's something I've just got to say
Is that really me in the mirror, is that me in this picture?
Could it be I've lived through all those years?
Is that me in the mirror, I can see someone familiar
But it seems the laughter and the tears have all but passed him by
Hey here comes Father Time holding up a cardboard sign
Says "any day could be the end" now
Never knew what he was about, I always laughed and kicked him out
He just said "Hey, that's okay" now
Well, here's another day, it's free to throw away
But first there's something I've just got to say
Is that me in the mirror, is that me in this picture
Could it be I've lived through all those years?
Is that me in the mirror, I can see someone familiar
But it seems the laughter and the tears have all but passed him by
Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the one that dropped the ball?
Hey babe let's take a ride, man I've got to blow this dive
I don't care where we go now
Hit the road and have some fun, checking out while we're still young
We'll heave the TV out the window
So here's another day, let's make the bastards pay
But first there's something I've just got to say
Is that me?
Lyrics submitted by bananahero
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