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.
Don't look around
'Cause I'm never coming back
It's high time
You saw the last of me
You thought I was a whiner
I'd forgotten where to go
I had no place to lay my head to rest
I had to go
Don't look around
'Cause I'm never coming back
It's high time
You saw the last of me
Whoah
Had to change my mind
You're going to change my mind
Now I'm working all day long
I'm singing for my food
Baby, you know that I've got everything I need
I've given all I can
The rest belongs to me
Fact was it didn't matter
Just who I had to be
Don't look around
'Cause I'm never coming back
It's high time
You saw the last of me
Whoah
Had to change my mind
You're going to change my mind
I'm gunnin' right on through the town
Don't need you anymore
Now I think I'll turn my back and walk away from you
We're livin' in the country
Doing everything we please
I don't want you comin' round swirling up a be
Don't look around
'Cause I'm never coming back
It's high time
You saw the last of me
Whoah
Had to change my mind
You're going to change my mind
'Cause I'm never coming back
It's high time
You saw the last of me
You thought I was a whiner
I'd forgotten where to go
I had no place to lay my head to rest
I had to go
Don't look around
'Cause I'm never coming back
It's high time
You saw the last of me
Whoah
Had to change my mind
You're going to change my mind
Now I'm working all day long
I'm singing for my food
Baby, you know that I've got everything I need
I've given all I can
The rest belongs to me
Fact was it didn't matter
Just who I had to be
Don't look around
'Cause I'm never coming back
It's high time
You saw the last of me
Whoah
Had to change my mind
You're going to change my mind
I'm gunnin' right on through the town
Don't need you anymore
Now I think I'll turn my back and walk away from you
We're livin' in the country
Doing everything we please
I don't want you comin' round swirling up a be
Don't look around
'Cause I'm never coming back
It's high time
You saw the last of me
Whoah
Had to change my mind
You're going to change my mind
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by DanVitaleRocks
Don't Look Around Lyrics as written by Gail Collins Felix Pappalardi
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
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...I like this version the best, first big lamenting, and then going back...Ha ..Ha...ha...