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 can't ask you now
But if I could, I'd say the same
I can't be the wound you wear to sleep, always
I can't watch you dream
Beside a fire
You made to leave
But, if you let me be there, again
If you let me be there, again
If you let me be there, again
I'll be still, won't say a word
And, I will wait tonight
Along a pier, alone in light
And, I will wait in sight, for you to call
In purple night
But, I can't watch you dream
Beside a fire
You made to leave
But, if you let me be there, again
If you let me be there, again
If you let me be there, again
I'll be still, won't say a word
If you let me be there, again
I'll be still, won't say a word
But if I could, I'd say the same
I can't be the wound you wear to sleep, always
I can't watch you dream
Beside a fire
You made to leave
But, if you let me be there, again
If you let me be there, again
If you let me be there, again
I'll be still, won't say a word
And, I will wait tonight
Along a pier, alone in light
And, I will wait in sight, for you to call
In purple night
But, I can't watch you dream
Beside a fire
You made to leave
But, if you let me be there, again
If you let me be there, again
If you let me be there, again
I'll be still, won't say a word
If you let me be there, again
I'll be still, won't say a word
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This song reminds me of Dumb and Dumber. When you go into the movie, you KNOW Jim Carrey is gonna bring it. But what makes the movie so funny is that Jeff Daniels is just as funny as Carrey. Their chemistry elevates that movie so much for me. The same thing with this song. I knew Sam Herring was gonna kill it. And he does. But when Jenn Wasner comes in, I melt. Every fucking time. i'm not gonna say her vocal performance is better, but its definitely just as good. Her voice is just on the edge of cracking from desperation. Staggering.
Just left a live FI show. 2 things:
First of all, milkman313, I just created this account because I wanted to tell you how great your comment is. Seriously, it's the best thing I've read in a while.
Second, this song is a testament to how much Herring benefits from having weight around him, and Jenn Wasner is an inspired choice to add such a weight. Both voices are so expressive and substansive. An entire album of this would be mesmerizing.
i agree wasner was joking around on twitter last year about a wye oak/ future islands supergroup but i think that experiment would be awesome