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.
Come, tell me your trouble
I'm not your answer but I'm a listening ear
Reality has left you reeling
All facts and no feeling
No faith and all fear
I don't know why a good man will fall
While a wicked one stands
And our lives blow about like flags on the land
Who's at fault is not important
Good intentions lie dormant and we're all to blame
While apathy acts like an ally
My enemy and I are one and the same
I don't know why the innocents fall
While the monsters still stand
And our lives blow about like flags on the land
I don't know why our words are so proud
Yet their promise so thin
And our lives blow about like flags in the wind
You who mourn will be comforted
You who hunger will hunger no more
Oh the last shall be first, of this I am sure
You who weep now will laugh again
All you lonely be lonely no more
Yes the last shall be first, of this I am sure
I don't know why the innocents fall
While the monsters stand
I don't know why the little ones thirst
But I know the last shall be first
I know the last shall be first
I know the last shall be first
I'm not your answer but I'm a listening ear
Reality has left you reeling
All facts and no feeling
No faith and all fear
I don't know why a good man will fall
While a wicked one stands
And our lives blow about like flags on the land
Who's at fault is not important
Good intentions lie dormant and we're all to blame
While apathy acts like an ally
My enemy and I are one and the same
I don't know why the innocents fall
While the monsters still stand
And our lives blow about like flags on the land
I don't know why our words are so proud
Yet their promise so thin
And our lives blow about like flags in the wind
You who mourn will be comforted
You who hunger will hunger no more
Oh the last shall be first, of this I am sure
You who weep now will laugh again
All you lonely be lonely no more
Yes the last shall be first, of this I am sure
I don't know why the innocents fall
While the monsters stand
I don't know why the little ones thirst
But I know the last shall be first
I know the last shall be first
I know the last shall be first
Lyrics submitted by starsie, edited by bellabongo
Flags Lyrics as written by Brooke Fraser
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Correct interpretations!