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 it's strange
We both don't look the same
It's only been two years and sixteen days
But I've been trying not to count it
'Since you don't want to talk about it
And I keep it tucked away like an animal in its cage
But I'm not one to judge you
Or hold something above you
I just think it might be time to rearrange
And you can wait for the signal while your heart, it dies
Keep confiding in the ones who wipe the tears from your eyes
And just keep playing the games, the ones you can control
I know it's hard
To find a reason
When you build yourself up
And dress yourself down
And I'm not one to judge you
Or hold something above you
I just think it might be time to make a change
And you just wait for the signal while your heart, it dies
Keep confiding in the ones who wipe the tears from your eyes
And just listen to the good things while the bad they take their toll
And you just wait for the signal, no, you never act
And you treat love like the monkey on your back
And you keep playing the games, the ones you can control
And I'm sick, and I'm tired
Of shoving my hand in the fire
And I'm not dumb, and I'm not blind
And I know you're a fucking liar
And you just wait for the signal while your heart, it dies
Keep confiding in the ones who wipe the tears from your eyes
And just listen to the good things while the bad they take their toll
And you just wait for the signal, no, you never act
And you treat love like the monkey on your back
And you keep playing the games, the ones you can control
We both don't look the same
It's only been two years and sixteen days
But I've been trying not to count it
'Since you don't want to talk about it
And I keep it tucked away like an animal in its cage
But I'm not one to judge you
Or hold something above you
I just think it might be time to rearrange
And you can wait for the signal while your heart, it dies
Keep confiding in the ones who wipe the tears from your eyes
And just keep playing the games, the ones you can control
I know it's hard
To find a reason
When you build yourself up
And dress yourself down
And I'm not one to judge you
Or hold something above you
I just think it might be time to make a change
And you just wait for the signal while your heart, it dies
Keep confiding in the ones who wipe the tears from your eyes
And just listen to the good things while the bad they take their toll
And you just wait for the signal, no, you never act
And you treat love like the monkey on your back
And you keep playing the games, the ones you can control
And I'm sick, and I'm tired
Of shoving my hand in the fire
And I'm not dumb, and I'm not blind
And I know you're a fucking liar
And you just wait for the signal while your heart, it dies
Keep confiding in the ones who wipe the tears from your eyes
And just listen to the good things while the bad they take their toll
And you just wait for the signal, no, you never act
And you treat love like the monkey on your back
And you keep playing the games, the ones you can control
Lyrics submitted by bananahero
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