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.
Move your body when the sunlight dies
Everybody hide your body from the scarecrow
Everybody hide
Make a wish when your childhood dies
Hear the knock, knock, knock when she cries
We're all alone tonight
Hold your breath when the blackbird flies
Count to 17 and close your eyes
I’ll keep you safe inside
He burns
My skin
Never mind about the shape I’m in - I’ll keep you safe tonight
Yeah, yeah
(Shut up and run with me)
Move your body when the sunlight dies
Everybody hide your body from the scarecrow
Everybody hide
Move your body when the sunlight dies
Everybody hide your body from the scarecrow
Everybody hide
Blow a kiss at the methane skies
See the rust through your playground eyes
We’re all in love tonight (all in love tonight)
Leave a dream where the fallout lies
Watch it grow where the tearstain dries
To keep you safe tonight
He burns
My skin
Never mind about the shape I’m in - I’ll keep you safe tonight
Yeah, yeah
(Shut up and run with me)
Move your body when the sunlight dies
Everybody hide your body from the scarecrow
Everybody hide
Move your body when the sunlight dies
Everybody hide your body from the scarecrow
Everybody hide
Love, love, love won’t stop this
Bomb, bomb, love won't stop this
Bomb, bomb, love won't stop this bomb
Run, run, bunny, run
Run, run, bunny, run
Move your body when the sunlight dies
Everybody hide your body from the scarecrow
Everybody hide
Move your body when the sunlight dies
Everybody hide your body from the scarecrow
Everybody hide
Move your body when the sunlight dies
Everybody hide your body from the scarecrow
Everybody hide
Move your body when the sunlight dies
Everybody hide your body from the scarecrow
Everybody hide
Everybody hide your body from the scarecrow
Everybody hide
Make a wish when your childhood dies
Hear the knock, knock, knock when she cries
We're all alone tonight
Hold your breath when the blackbird flies
Count to 17 and close your eyes
I’ll keep you safe inside
He burns
My skin
Never mind about the shape I’m in - I’ll keep you safe tonight
Yeah, yeah
(Shut up and run with me)
Move your body when the sunlight dies
Everybody hide your body from the scarecrow
Everybody hide
Move your body when the sunlight dies
Everybody hide your body from the scarecrow
Everybody hide
Blow a kiss at the methane skies
See the rust through your playground eyes
We’re all in love tonight (all in love tonight)
Leave a dream where the fallout lies
Watch it grow where the tearstain dries
To keep you safe tonight
He burns
My skin
Never mind about the shape I’m in - I’ll keep you safe tonight
Yeah, yeah
(Shut up and run with me)
Move your body when the sunlight dies
Everybody hide your body from the scarecrow
Everybody hide
Move your body when the sunlight dies
Everybody hide your body from the scarecrow
Everybody hide
Love, love, love won’t stop this
Bomb, bomb, love won't stop this
Bomb, bomb, love won't stop this bomb
Run, run, bunny, run
Run, run, bunny, run
Move your body when the sunlight dies
Everybody hide your body from the scarecrow
Everybody hide
Move your body when the sunlight dies
Everybody hide your body from the scarecrow
Everybody hide
Move your body when the sunlight dies
Everybody hide your body from the scarecrow
Everybody hide
Move your body when the sunlight dies
Everybody hide your body from the scarecrow
Everybody hide
Lyrics submitted by Fayiirah, edited by SmashingDestiny
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Ok, this song took me a while to get into, but now I love it. I love how the beautiful, calm sound contrasts with some dark underlying tones. So analysis: From a basic point “Scarecrow” is the group of exterminators working for BL/ind but of course there is a deeper metaphorical meaning. Personally, I interpret it to be about leaving innocence behind to some extent with lyrics like “playground eyes” and “make a wish when your childhood dies”. I could be wrong, but since the whole concept of the album promotes individuality and freedom, the scarecrow killing you is a metaphor for losing that individuality. So perhaps it’s saying that you lose something when you grow up, that you lose a spark. And it’s telling you to “hide” so you never lose that vibrancy and freedom. Anyone agree?