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.
Fallen brother, he's a fallen husband
He's about to be woken in his hospital bed
He doesn't want to rest
He just wants to run
And he's tired of being told that he's the lucky one
Caped crusader, she's a newborn leader
But you should see her when her daughter's on the phone
And she wipes the tears away
And she laces up because there's still hell to pay
And it sure feels like hell today, today
And she says
You see these hands they're bruised and brown
They're yours alone
Hold on love we're still going down
Hold on love we're still fighting at home
The war at home
Innocence behind his broken expression
He's a child of mercy he's our unlearned lesson
And he's trying to wake up
From this wilderness his world has now become
He's reaching out to those he's running from
And he says
You see these hands they're bruised and brown
They're yours alone
Hold on now we're still going down
Hold on now we're still fighting
And it's (one step forward and two steps back)
This is all who are marching
(One step forward two steps back)
This is young and old
(One step forward two steps back)
Through the void of silence
You are not alone
You see these hands they're a million strong
They are yours now
Hold on now we're all going down
Hold on now we're all fighting at home
The war at home
He's about to be woken in his hospital bed
He doesn't want to rest
He just wants to run
And he's tired of being told that he's the lucky one
Caped crusader, she's a newborn leader
But you should see her when her daughter's on the phone
And she wipes the tears away
And she laces up because there's still hell to pay
And it sure feels like hell today, today
And she says
You see these hands they're bruised and brown
They're yours alone
Hold on love we're still going down
Hold on love we're still fighting at home
The war at home
Innocence behind his broken expression
He's a child of mercy he's our unlearned lesson
And he's trying to wake up
From this wilderness his world has now become
He's reaching out to those he's running from
And he says
You see these hands they're bruised and brown
They're yours alone
Hold on now we're still going down
Hold on now we're still fighting
And it's (one step forward and two steps back)
This is all who are marching
(One step forward two steps back)
This is young and old
(One step forward two steps back)
Through the void of silence
You are not alone
You see these hands they're a million strong
They are yours now
Hold on now we're all going down
Hold on now we're all fighting at home
The war at home
Lyrics submitted by pedroisnohere
War At Home Lyrics as written by Josh Groban Daniel D. Wilson
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think the song is trying to say that the real war is going on within our borders, our homes, and our hearts. Think about it. We have border wars, violent crime, poverty, child abuse, extreme divorce rates, domestic violence, and families being broken up. The war isn't out there - it is within our own homes.
I agree this is song is about what people are going through here in our homes. I think that the first section has to deal with military men coming back from war with post traumatic stress disorder.<br /> I think the second section has to do with the fight with breast cancer and the third section has to do with child abuse in any form.
I think both of you have hit the nail on the head! I came to this site looking for interpretations of this song, and I'm so glad I did! Thanks to you two, I think I understand it better. :)<br /> <br /> Questions: What do you make of "One step forward, two steps back" & "we're all going down?" Those two phrases still stump me a bit. I suppose the first could just be speaking to the fact that people/organizations/etc. work hard at solving these issues only to be held back by bureaucracy and/or red tape. (Maybe?) I guess the second phrase could just mean "we're all in the same boat," so to speak. Thoughts?
I love this song, probably one of my favorites off the album. i love the ending part, "they're a million strong" as for what this song is about. i'm not too sure, (that's why i came to this website), but as far as i can tell, it's about soldiers, or military folk away from their families. as they do what they can for their country.
so guys lyk listen up. are ya listening? guys.
this song is tots about lyk da war and shit. ex oh.
keep listening guys, i know ya think i was finished. but listen up, guys. are ya listening?
i think it portrays the different ideas of war that each individual in society could face. and by saying we're millions strong, it means that theres people out there that are going to be there for you and to be strong.
thanx fa listening guys.
I saw Josh last night, and before he sang this, he mentioned how you hear about our soldiers overseas being killed and how horrible it is, but what you DON'T hear is about the struggles they have when they come home (PTSD, like someone said before). I was a little lost about what it might mean the first couple times I heard it, but it totally makes sense to me now haha
Needless to say, I love this song, it's one of my favorites off the new album :) I almost tear up a little every time I hear it..
Nine years ago,"Tortured Xeno" hit it out to the street. I recently discovered this gem and it really had me rubbing my neck. Belated thanks TX.