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.
A dark cloud weighs over his tired mind
It follows him all around through thick and thin
Draining those who cannot swim
Love left him longing for another life
Where his hidden treasures will be found
But no one speaks the language on the map that leads to his heart
Oh, his heart...
With eyes shut he leans over the tower side
For a chance to leave his sorry life that flashes by
As his body hits the ground
His last thought, and the beating of his heart
Glory, the angels sing
Finally he feels nothing
And may his soul be praised, hallelujah
Glory, the angels sing
Finally he feels nothing
And may his soul be praised, hallelujah
Oh, his heart...
The storm cloud leaves his young but tired mind
And leaves his body to be found by passer-bys
His bones broken on the ground
The weight loss and relief of his heart
It follows him all around through thick and thin
Draining those who cannot swim
Love left him longing for another life
Where his hidden treasures will be found
But no one speaks the language on the map that leads to his heart
Oh, his heart...
With eyes shut he leans over the tower side
For a chance to leave his sorry life that flashes by
As his body hits the ground
His last thought, and the beating of his heart
Glory, the angels sing
Finally he feels nothing
And may his soul be praised, hallelujah
Glory, the angels sing
Finally he feels nothing
And may his soul be praised, hallelujah
Oh, his heart...
The storm cloud leaves his young but tired mind
And leaves his body to be found by passer-bys
His bones broken on the ground
The weight loss and relief of his heart
Lyrics submitted by kumasmash
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