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.
talking back from frozen moments
the aching words I never spoke
alone now in this cold abstraction
the sounds of yesterday transpose
and every pause within my conscience
I sadly offer up to you
I have to go before I falter
before my longing skews the truth
and as I push against the waves
know my heart is broken too
and though I travel far away
part of me is still with you
And if it was my choice to make
Elissa- I would stay with you
but tomorrow isn't mine to give
and there's something I must do
And if it was my life to live
Elissa- I would never leave
I made a promise long ago
and now you must believe-
however far i travel...
I can only love you more...
I can only love you more...
I see your shadow like a ghost
silent and away
apologies make emptiness
the things I want to say
and this guilt it must be but mine alone
fearing the distant glow
broken to a choice unmade
though I want you, though I need you (by my side...)
and as I push against the waves
know my heart is broken too
and though I travel far away
part of me is still with you
And if it was my choice to make
Elissa- I would stay with you
but tomorrow isn't mine to give
and there's something yet to do
And if it was my life to live
Elissa- I would never leave
I made a promise long ago
and now you must believe-
that whatever course life takes...
I can only love you more...
I can only love you more...
the aching words I never spoke
alone now in this cold abstraction
the sounds of yesterday transpose
and every pause within my conscience
I sadly offer up to you
I have to go before I falter
before my longing skews the truth
and as I push against the waves
know my heart is broken too
and though I travel far away
part of me is still with you
And if it was my choice to make
Elissa- I would stay with you
but tomorrow isn't mine to give
and there's something I must do
And if it was my life to live
Elissa- I would never leave
I made a promise long ago
and now you must believe-
however far i travel...
I can only love you more...
I can only love you more...
I see your shadow like a ghost
silent and away
apologies make emptiness
the things I want to say
and this guilt it must be but mine alone
fearing the distant glow
broken to a choice unmade
though I want you, though I need you (by my side...)
and as I push against the waves
know my heart is broken too
and though I travel far away
part of me is still with you
And if it was my choice to make
Elissa- I would stay with you
but tomorrow isn't mine to give
and there's something yet to do
And if it was my life to live
Elissa- I would never leave
I made a promise long ago
and now you must believe-
that whatever course life takes...
I can only love you more...
I can only love you more...
Lyrics submitted by endurianwolf
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