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.
Mental woman, born of man
Born of woman, mental man
Change me, I'm changing day to day
Lady, I'm a lady from today
Neuter me
Spade my heart
So just come on girl
Saturn star
Trying too hard
To be yourself
Said you're trying too hard
To be what you are
Make me maternal, fertile woman
Make me menstrual, menopause man
Rape me, castrate me, make me gay
Lady, I'm a lady from today
Unique
Spade my parts
So just come on girl
Saturn star
Trying too hard
I know you're trying too hard
You're trying too hard
To be what you already are
Born of woman, mental man
Change me, I'm changing day to day
Lady, I'm a lady from today
Neuter me
Spade my heart
So just come on girl
Saturn star
Trying too hard
To be yourself
Said you're trying too hard
To be what you are
Make me maternal, fertile woman
Make me menstrual, menopause man
Rape me, castrate me, make me gay
Lady, I'm a lady from today
Unique
Spade my parts
So just come on girl
Saturn star
Trying too hard
I know you're trying too hard
You're trying too hard
To be what you already are
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i disagree about the transsexual comment, why does gender identity have to be tied with the genitals? geez. if you've seen ariel pink, he has a more androgynous/or often more "feminine" style of dress and appearance. i think it's more likely this song is about crossing societal gender role boundaries, really, stomping all over them really.