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.
Cut these thorns and kick these stones and keep those birds at bay
Plant deep and dark and help my heart receive the words you say
The words you say, the words you say
The words you say are somehow lost on me they die on deafened ears
When you open up your mount to speak I hear but I can't hear
The words you say, hear the words you say, hear the words you say
I can't hear the words you say, hear the words you say
Pin me down, and take away this heart of stone
Wind and sound, awake my old dry bones
Cut these thorns and kick these stones and keep those birds at bay
Plant deep and dark, and help my heart perceive the light of day
I stumble through a darkened vale, with a veil cast over me
And cataracts, all is black, oh, I see but I can't see
The light of day, see the light of day, see the light of day
I can't see the light of day, see the light of day
I'll fight or run to keep from going under the knife
Don't let me slip away
'Cause though the blade is sharp, I know you're saving my life
Don't let me slip away
[Repeat: x3]
Pin me down, and take away this heart of stone
Wind and sounds, awake my old dry bones
Plant deep and dark and help my heart receive the words you say
The words you say, the words you say
The words you say are somehow lost on me they die on deafened ears
When you open up your mount to speak I hear but I can't hear
The words you say, hear the words you say, hear the words you say
I can't hear the words you say, hear the words you say
Pin me down, and take away this heart of stone
Wind and sound, awake my old dry bones
Cut these thorns and kick these stones and keep those birds at bay
Plant deep and dark, and help my heart perceive the light of day
I stumble through a darkened vale, with a veil cast over me
And cataracts, all is black, oh, I see but I can't see
The light of day, see the light of day, see the light of day
I can't see the light of day, see the light of day
I'll fight or run to keep from going under the knife
Don't let me slip away
'Cause though the blade is sharp, I know you're saving my life
Don't let me slip away
[Repeat: x3]
Pin me down, and take away this heart of stone
Wind and sounds, awake my old dry bones
Lyrics submitted by logswithmoss, edited by ChipperSpiff
Cataracts Lyrics as written by Edward Carrington Breckenridge Dustin Michael Kensrue
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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