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.
Should I close my eyes and prophesize, hoping maybe someday come?
Should I wet the ground with my old tears, cryin' over whats been done?
Should I lift the dirt and plant the seed even tho I've never grown?
Should I wet the ground with the sweat from my brown
And believe in my good work?
Hey there, I'm flying up above
Lookin' down on the tired earth
But I can see I can see potential
Speaking through you, speaking to you
From all of heavens possibility
Power, hey do you know how it works?
Hey do you know that the meek, they shall inherit the earth?
But you should work, for the self and the family
Should I hit the water or stay on dry land, even tho I never swam?
Take machete into the brush, though at first there is no path
Taste the warpaint on my tongue as it's drippin' with my sweat
Place my gaze in the futures path, seein' things that aint come yet
Hope to watch the victory dance after the days work is done
Hope to watch the victory dance in the evenings setting sun
Hope to watch the victory dance over many lives to come
Hope to watch the victory dance in the evenings setting sun
Hope to dance the victory dance after the days work is done
Hope to dance the victory dance in the evenings setting sun
Hope to dance the victory dance over many lives to come
Hope to dance the victory dance in the evenings setting sun
Should I wet the ground with my old tears, cryin' over whats been done?
Should I lift the dirt and plant the seed even tho I've never grown?
Should I wet the ground with the sweat from my brown
And believe in my good work?
Hey there, I'm flying up above
Lookin' down on the tired earth
But I can see I can see potential
Speaking through you, speaking to you
From all of heavens possibility
Power, hey do you know how it works?
Hey do you know that the meek, they shall inherit the earth?
But you should work, for the self and the family
Should I hit the water or stay on dry land, even tho I never swam?
Take machete into the brush, though at first there is no path
Taste the warpaint on my tongue as it's drippin' with my sweat
Place my gaze in the futures path, seein' things that aint come yet
Hope to watch the victory dance after the days work is done
Hope to watch the victory dance in the evenings setting sun
Hope to watch the victory dance over many lives to come
Hope to watch the victory dance in the evenings setting sun
Hope to dance the victory dance after the days work is done
Hope to dance the victory dance in the evenings setting sun
Hope to dance the victory dance over many lives to come
Hope to dance the victory dance in the evenings setting sun
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It's definitely not Golden, the band's best.