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.
Turn around go back down
Back the way you came
Can't you see that flash of fire
10 times brighter than the day
And behold a mighty city
Broken in the dust again
Oh God, pride of man
Broken in the dust again
Turn around go back down
Back the way you came
Babylon is laid to waste
Egypt's buried in her shame
Their mighty men are all beaten down
Their kings are all fallin' in the ways
Oh God, pride of man
Broken in the dust again
Turn around go back down
Back the way you came
Terror is on ever sign
Though our leaders are dismayed
All those who place their faith in fire
In fire their fate shall be repayed
Oh God, pride of man
Broken in the dust again
Turn around go back down
Back the way you came
And shout a warning to the nation
That the sword of God is raised
Yes, Babylon backed by it's city
Rich in treasure wide in fame
Oh God, pride of man
Broken in the dust again
And it shall cause your tower to fall
Make of you a pyre of flame
Oh, you who dwell on many waters
Rich in treasure wide in fame
You bow unto your, your god of gold
Your pride of might shall be a shame
For only God can lead his people
Back unto the earth again
Oh God, pride of man
Broken in the dust again
The holy mountain be restored
Have mercy on the people
The people
Lord
Back the way you came
Can't you see that flash of fire
10 times brighter than the day
And behold a mighty city
Broken in the dust again
Oh God, pride of man
Broken in the dust again
Turn around go back down
Back the way you came
Babylon is laid to waste
Egypt's buried in her shame
Their mighty men are all beaten down
Their kings are all fallin' in the ways
Oh God, pride of man
Broken in the dust again
Turn around go back down
Back the way you came
Terror is on ever sign
Though our leaders are dismayed
All those who place their faith in fire
In fire their fate shall be repayed
Oh God, pride of man
Broken in the dust again
Turn around go back down
Back the way you came
And shout a warning to the nation
That the sword of God is raised
Yes, Babylon backed by it's city
Rich in treasure wide in fame
Oh God, pride of man
Broken in the dust again
And it shall cause your tower to fall
Make of you a pyre of flame
Oh, you who dwell on many waters
Rich in treasure wide in fame
You bow unto your, your god of gold
Your pride of might shall be a shame
For only God can lead his people
Back unto the earth again
Oh God, pride of man
Broken in the dust again
The holy mountain be restored
Have mercy on the people
The people
Lord
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Pride of Man Lyrics as written by Hamilton Camp
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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