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.
It's so hard to catch my breath
I've never been so high on the balcony
I'm on the 13th story
And I'll try to keep my balance as I'm looking down
People walking, people talking, people all around
'Cause they got somewhere to go
No two cities feel the same
They're all different
I wanna travel the world
Whoa don't know where to go
Whoa this is the life on the road
Whoa don't know where to go
Whoa this is the life on the road
'Cause I'm living for free
I've got everything I need
On the 13th story
'Cause I'm living for free
I've got everything I need
On the 13th story
Got Spooner on the 12th floor he's always chasing ass
Got Stephen smoking cigars
I'm getting high with the Tallywack
Whoa don't know where to go
Whoa this is the life on the road
Whoa don't know where to go
Whoa this is the life on the road
Whoa don't know where to go
Whoa this is the life on the road
Whoa don't know where to go
Whoa this is the life on the road
This is the life on the road
This is the life on the road
I've never been so high on the balcony
I'm on the 13th story
And I'll try to keep my balance as I'm looking down
People walking, people talking, people all around
'Cause they got somewhere to go
No two cities feel the same
They're all different
I wanna travel the world
Whoa don't know where to go
Whoa this is the life on the road
Whoa don't know where to go
Whoa this is the life on the road
'Cause I'm living for free
I've got everything I need
On the 13th story
'Cause I'm living for free
I've got everything I need
On the 13th story
Got Spooner on the 12th floor he's always chasing ass
Got Stephen smoking cigars
I'm getting high with the Tallywack
Whoa don't know where to go
Whoa this is the life on the road
Whoa don't know where to go
Whoa this is the life on the road
Whoa don't know where to go
Whoa this is the life on the road
Whoa don't know where to go
Whoa this is the life on the road
This is the life on the road
This is the life on the road
Lyrics submitted by savvysmiles
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