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.
Going back to the desert
Arizona sun beat down
Getting sick of my troubles
Tired of this scuffling round
Cos living in Dead City
There ain't no peace around
Saw a man on the corner
Holding out his hand
No home nor money
This ain't how he'd planned
Rotting here in this Dead City
Doin' best he can
Going back to the canyons
Fish in a mountain stream
Get a start with a new life
Cut loose from all I'd been
Get away from Dead City
Where the police sirens scream
Arizona sun beat down
Getting sick of my troubles
Tired of this scuffling round
Cos living in Dead City
There ain't no peace around
Saw a man on the corner
Holding out his hand
No home nor money
This ain't how he'd planned
Rotting here in this Dead City
Doin' best he can
Going back to the canyons
Fish in a mountain stream
Get a start with a new life
Cut loose from all I'd been
Get away from Dead City
Where the police sirens scream
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Dead City Lyrics as written by John Mayall
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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