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.
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah...
To the next life
It's the return to the winners circle
They be on tables like poker chips
Dangled in front you buy suits
Who'd assume you'd be a two bit hustler, hasty moves
From the cradle to the grave might be a short walk
Real talk, it's just a matter of ink
So many people in your ear you can't hear yourself think
Your homies like do that shit
Your old head say you need to let somebody redo that shit
Call up a lawyer,
But an arm and a leg it cost ya just to walk through the office
Consultation charges
End up taking bigger bites than your portion
And you was just online lookin at porsches
Now your feelin tight pocket garbage
Cause your check bein garnished
No cool grey area about it
Executives is black hearted
They could care less about repossessions
Disconnect the cell phones
All evictions from apartments
It's no country for artists
Trap floor from under the carpet
Figured you'll fall for it
Cause you're struggling and you're starving
That don't mean your stupid
Reverse the game
Pull the rug from them losers
Carve your own lane
Stay true to your music
I'm watching myself do it
I saw somebody else get close to it
But you know how it is
The good die young mostly over bullshit
Record Deals, Record Deals, Record Deals
To the next life
It's the return to the winners circle
They be on tables like poker chips
Dangled in front you buy suits
Who'd assume you'd be a two bit hustler, hasty moves
From the cradle to the grave might be a short walk
Real talk, it's just a matter of ink
So many people in your ear you can't hear yourself think
Your homies like do that shit
Your old head say you need to let somebody redo that shit
Call up a lawyer,
But an arm and a leg it cost ya just to walk through the office
Consultation charges
End up taking bigger bites than your portion
And you was just online lookin at porsches
Now your feelin tight pocket garbage
Cause your check bein garnished
No cool grey area about it
Executives is black hearted
They could care less about repossessions
Disconnect the cell phones
All evictions from apartments
It's no country for artists
Trap floor from under the carpet
Figured you'll fall for it
Cause you're struggling and you're starving
That don't mean your stupid
Reverse the game
Pull the rug from them losers
Carve your own lane
Stay true to your music
I'm watching myself do it
I saw somebody else get close to it
But you know how it is
The good die young mostly over bullshit
Record Deals, Record Deals, Record Deals
Lyrics submitted by JamzXIV
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