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 hear that shoe strings tend to break
But they tie back together great
I feel I know
I know where you're coming from
Notebooks filled with lines
And the clocks filled with good times
I think I know
I know where you're coming from
Oh I know, I know where you're coming from
I never have enough
And you always have too much
I might just know,
I know where you're coming from
Quarters full the wash
All the other coins are tossed
I said I know
I know where you're coming
Oh I know where you're coming from
I'm on my feet today
And I'm walking to the grave
I drew this map by hand
To show you how to become a man
I'm on my feet today
And I'm walking to the grave
I said I-I know where you're coming from
Where you're coming from
We the broke the walls out
In this old bedroom of your house
To make rooms for dreams
I know where you're coming from
We hear they come and go
But today its here to stay
I said I know
I know where you're coming from
Oh I know, I know where you're coming from
I'm on my feet today
And I'm walking to the grave
I drew this map by hand
Show you how to become a man
I'm on my feet today
And I walking to the grave
I said I-I know where you're coming from
Where you're coming from
But they tie back together great
I feel I know
I know where you're coming from
Notebooks filled with lines
And the clocks filled with good times
I think I know
I know where you're coming from
Oh I know, I know where you're coming from
I never have enough
And you always have too much
I might just know,
I know where you're coming from
Quarters full the wash
All the other coins are tossed
I said I know
I know where you're coming
Oh I know where you're coming from
I'm on my feet today
And I'm walking to the grave
I drew this map by hand
To show you how to become a man
I'm on my feet today
And I'm walking to the grave
I said I-I know where you're coming from
Where you're coming from
We the broke the walls out
In this old bedroom of your house
To make rooms for dreams
I know where you're coming from
We hear they come and go
But today its here to stay
I said I know
I know where you're coming from
Oh I know, I know where you're coming from
I'm on my feet today
And I'm walking to the grave
I drew this map by hand
Show you how to become a man
I'm on my feet today
And I walking to the grave
I said I-I know where you're coming from
Where you're coming from
Lyrics submitted by whatthetracy
Where You're Coming From Lyrics as written by Matthew Wesley Johnson Kimberly Ann Schifino
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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no comments?! I loooove this song. one of my favorites off this album.
By far favorite song on the album too
First of all, this is a beautiful song! I start out feeling good at the beginning and by the end I'm ready to shed a tear. The song expresses a sentiment that I think is tricky to put into words, but here's my best attempt... I think it is a song about how all people are connected through some common experiences. Because the line says "I'm on my feet today and I'll walk into the grave" I get a mental picture of an older person whose time may be running out, and he wants to share memories with a younger person because he can still remember what it was like to be that age. "I drew this map by hand to show you how to become a man" - it's drawn by hand because growing up was a personal journey shaped by unique experiences. It reminds me of when I realized that life isn't as cookie-cutter as I believed as a child - you might follow a pre-planned route for a little while (ie. going to school for x amount of years) but after a certain point, life's up to you. And that can be so confusing, it's nice to hear someone say "I know where you're coming from" ie. I know how you feel, you're not alone. Anyway! That's the vibe I get from this song.