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.
Did you ever picture life like this
No shooting star to grant your wish
Are you everything you hoped you'd be
I got somewhere in between
You dropped your miracle down a wishing well
And prayed for luck to cast it's spell
To bring you closer to your dreams
That always seem just out of reach
You pray to God, don't know when
But you feel the current pull you in
You try to keep your head above water
It's never been harder
Even when it feels hopeless
You're gonna get through this
Head above water
Gotta fight from going under
Even when it feels useless to wish
You're gonna get through this
Have you ever felt like giving in
Tried for hours but just can't win
Tell yourself you're not good enough
The struggle alone is just too much
No one's there to hear you scream
You gasp for air but cannot breathe
Did you ever think you'd see the day
When you'd watch your life get washed away
You pray to God, don't know when
But you feel the current pull you in
You try to keep your head above water
It's never been harder
Even when it feels hopeless
You're gonna get through this
Head above water
Gotta fight from going under
Even when it feels useless to wish
You're gonna get through this
Did it ever hurt so bad
That the thought of feeling lost
Would never end
Well you will think again
Try to keep your head above water
It's never been harder
When it feels hopeless
You're gonna get through this
Head above water
Gotta fight from going under
Even when it feels useless to wish
You're gonna get through this
Your head above water, never been harder
Tryin' to keep your head above water
Has never been harder
You're gonna get through this
You're gonna get through this
No shooting star to grant your wish
Are you everything you hoped you'd be
I got somewhere in between
You dropped your miracle down a wishing well
And prayed for luck to cast it's spell
To bring you closer to your dreams
That always seem just out of reach
You pray to God, don't know when
But you feel the current pull you in
You try to keep your head above water
It's never been harder
Even when it feels hopeless
You're gonna get through this
Head above water
Gotta fight from going under
Even when it feels useless to wish
You're gonna get through this
Have you ever felt like giving in
Tried for hours but just can't win
Tell yourself you're not good enough
The struggle alone is just too much
No one's there to hear you scream
You gasp for air but cannot breathe
Did you ever think you'd see the day
When you'd watch your life get washed away
You pray to God, don't know when
But you feel the current pull you in
You try to keep your head above water
It's never been harder
Even when it feels hopeless
You're gonna get through this
Head above water
Gotta fight from going under
Even when it feels useless to wish
You're gonna get through this
Did it ever hurt so bad
That the thought of feeling lost
Would never end
Well you will think again
Try to keep your head above water
It's never been harder
When it feels hopeless
You're gonna get through this
Head above water
Gotta fight from going under
Even when it feels useless to wish
You're gonna get through this
Your head above water, never been harder
Tryin' to keep your head above water
Has never been harder
You're gonna get through this
You're gonna get through this
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if it weren't for "bitch came back", and "we were men" i would say this is the best song on the new album. this is a lot like their song "all or nothing." this is probably one of their best albums.