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.
I'm burned out like a bright light, I wasn't ready for this.
You're adorable as hell, but I'm glancing at your wrist.
Oh please have faith, I can be so cavalier.
And when they start to ask questions I'll make sure to be clear.
When you see my friends, tell them hi for me.
Tell them what you think about the way you handled everything.
You turned and all you left me with was this broken key.
So tell me what you think.
Give it up for the long nights and all those terrible fights.
Were you honest with yourself, every version of yourself?
Did you get lost on the side of the road?
If you keep acting this way I swear I'll never come home.
When you see my friends, tell them hi for me.
Tell them what you think about the way you handled everything.
We walk alone on this broken road for eternity.
So give me company and help me sing this lonely melody.
You turned and all you left me with was this broken key.
So tell me what you think.
Sign me up, no regrets.
Make a man out of me.
And I won't say a word
And I'll give all the things that you want
And I need just to give me some peace.
At the bottom of the ocean, there's a place for you and me.
Lead the way, straight ahead.
You gave me the time of my life and cut like a knife to the bone.
When you see my friends, tell them hi for me.
And tell them what you think about the way you handled everything.
So neat and clean.
Well, the world is full of such pretty things.
So do your best for me.
You're adorable as hell, but I'm glancing at your wrist.
Oh please have faith, I can be so cavalier.
And when they start to ask questions I'll make sure to be clear.
When you see my friends, tell them hi for me.
Tell them what you think about the way you handled everything.
You turned and all you left me with was this broken key.
So tell me what you think.
Give it up for the long nights and all those terrible fights.
Were you honest with yourself, every version of yourself?
Did you get lost on the side of the road?
If you keep acting this way I swear I'll never come home.
When you see my friends, tell them hi for me.
Tell them what you think about the way you handled everything.
We walk alone on this broken road for eternity.
So give me company and help me sing this lonely melody.
You turned and all you left me with was this broken key.
So tell me what you think.
Sign me up, no regrets.
Make a man out of me.
And I won't say a word
And I'll give all the things that you want
And I need just to give me some peace.
At the bottom of the ocean, there's a place for you and me.
Lead the way, straight ahead.
You gave me the time of my life and cut like a knife to the bone.
When you see my friends, tell them hi for me.
And tell them what you think about the way you handled everything.
So neat and clean.
Well, the world is full of such pretty things.
So do your best for me.
Lyrics submitted by Clockwork00
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I love this song, i think that it seems like a song about a girl that has been changing and the relationship isnt going where the guy expected it to. maybe she handled the relationship or breakup in a bad way? "when you see my friends, tell them hi for me, tell them what you think about the way you handled everything" in terms of the chorus i also think th a bad that maybe he used to be in a bad group of friends that he introduced her to and she has fallen in with them. the only part of the song that i dont get is "Sign me up, no regrets. Make a man out of me." it sounds to me like he is enlisting in the army but i dont really see how that ties in with the rest of song.. oh well, i would love to hear other peoples opinions (:
I don't have a clue, except that "at the bottom of the ocean, there's a place for me and you" does sound rather ominous :) Love the line "You turned and left me with a broken key"...s/he said he was always welcome to return but perhaps when he tried he was unable to reach her. Ahhhh....I just reread the song and think I now have a clue (although I am usually quite clueless:)...The entire stanza that begins "Sign me up, no regrets...." seems to explain the entire song. S/he feels that by returning he will lose himself; he'll make her happy but he doubts that he'll be happy (they'll end up at the bottom of the ocean). This is a song about wanting something (someone?) but at the same time resisting it/her. Apparently when they were together there was a great deal of upheaval. As for the army, you are welcome to enlist; I'm not a big fan of death:)