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.
Don't you cherish me to sleep
Oh
Never keep your eyelids clipped
Hold me for the pops and clicks
I was only for the father's crib
Hair, old, long along
Your neck onto your shoulder blades
Oh
Always keep that message taped
Cross your breasts you won't erase
I was only for your very space
Hip, under nothing
Propped up by your other one
Face 'way from the sun
Just have to keep a dialogue
Teach our bodies, haunt the cause
I was only trying to spell a loss
Joy, it's all founded
Pincher with the skin inside
Oh
You pinned me with your black sphere eyes
You know that all the rope's untied
I was only for to die beside
So it's storming on the lake
Little waves our bodies break
There's a fire going out
But there's really nothing to the south
Swollen orange and light let through
Your one-piece swimmer stuck to you
Sold, I'm ever
Open ears and open eyes
Oh
Wake up to your starboard bride
Who goes in and then stays inside
Oh, the demons come, they can subside
Oh
Never keep your eyelids clipped
Hold me for the pops and clicks
I was only for the father's crib
Hair, old, long along
Your neck onto your shoulder blades
Oh
Always keep that message taped
Cross your breasts you won't erase
I was only for your very space
Hip, under nothing
Propped up by your other one
Face 'way from the sun
Just have to keep a dialogue
Teach our bodies, haunt the cause
I was only trying to spell a loss
Joy, it's all founded
Pincher with the skin inside
Oh
You pinned me with your black sphere eyes
You know that all the rope's untied
I was only for to die beside
So it's storming on the lake
Little waves our bodies break
There's a fire going out
But there's really nothing to the south
Swollen orange and light let through
Your one-piece swimmer stuck to you
Sold, I'm ever
Open ears and open eyes
Oh
Wake up to your starboard bride
Who goes in and then stays inside
Oh, the demons come, they can subside
Lyrics submitted by thuglifeforevs
Calgary Lyrics as written by Matthew Boutwell Mccaughan Justin Deyarmond Edison Vernon
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Aquarius - I think your close on these. Digging a little too deep on some, especially your metaphorical take on what I am pretty sure is a literal reference to swimming. I think the only metaphorical element of that section is "the fire going out" - that being the fire of their waning relationship - and "really nothing south" which I doubt references Hell. South generally references warmer climates. Sort of saying, despite the storms (fights, perhaps) there's nothing better.
I dont think it is so much about old people as it is about young people realizing that is what the future holds. That it won't always be romance and passion and sunny days.
I think the song represents the process of accepting that and eventually embracing that fact and realizing that a relationship requires work and, sure, there will be anger and fights and pain, but all that will subside.
I'm totally open to anyone else's interpretation. It's funny though, how they can be so different...that's what you get with Bon Iver I guess. This was the only song I was able to somewhat understand off the whole album, and it could be completely wrong still, lol.<br /> <br /> I do think that line about the swimsuit is a literal reference to swimming, I just feel that it's a memory of theirs, not happening in the present. <br /> <br /> I like your interpretation :)