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.
Now you're out there with no target
So your friends become your aim
But there is no one left around you
So there is no one left to blame
And what you don't know, it won't hurt you
And what you don't know will save you from some pain
But if I could choose I'd let it hurt you
'Cause there's something bout life in the pain
Yeah there's something inside you starting
Like there's a fight coming your way
But there'll be no fists you'll be throwing
Just some words you got to say
And you'll scream for our repentance
Or you'll hide behind what's fake
But there ain't nothing to forgiveness
And you give as freely as you take
And what you don't know, it won't hurt you
And what you don't know will save you from some pain
But if I could choose I'd let it hurt you
'Cause there's something bout life in the pain
And I don't need to know you stories
Don't need to understand your pain
'Cause I've been here since the beginning
And I'll be here the rest of the way
And I'll be here the rest of the way
Now you've tried your hand at running
But don't you try your hand at fate
'Cause there's a moment to be taken
But it's right before you break
And what you don't know, it won't hurt you
And what you don't know will save you from some pain
But if I could choose I'd let it hurt you
'Cause there's something bout life in the pain
'Cause there's something bout life in the pain
Is there something bout life in the pain
So your friends become your aim
But there is no one left around you
So there is no one left to blame
And what you don't know, it won't hurt you
And what you don't know will save you from some pain
But if I could choose I'd let it hurt you
'Cause there's something bout life in the pain
Yeah there's something inside you starting
Like there's a fight coming your way
But there'll be no fists you'll be throwing
Just some words you got to say
And you'll scream for our repentance
Or you'll hide behind what's fake
But there ain't nothing to forgiveness
And you give as freely as you take
And what you don't know, it won't hurt you
And what you don't know will save you from some pain
But if I could choose I'd let it hurt you
'Cause there's something bout life in the pain
And I don't need to know you stories
Don't need to understand your pain
'Cause I've been here since the beginning
And I'll be here the rest of the way
And I'll be here the rest of the way
Now you've tried your hand at running
But don't you try your hand at fate
'Cause there's a moment to be taken
But it's right before you break
And what you don't know, it won't hurt you
And what you don't know will save you from some pain
But if I could choose I'd let it hurt you
'Cause there's something bout life in the pain
'Cause there's something bout life in the pain
Is there something bout life in the pain
Lyrics submitted by fallacyofdualism
Life in the Pain Lyrics as written by Douglas Hamilton Brown
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think the lyrics are supposed to be the subconscious thoughts of someone who is responsible for his own misfortunes. He's talking to himself, but it's not anything anyone would realize they are feeling or thinking. It just happens subconsciously.