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 the pale moon's shining on the fields below
The folks are crooning songs soft and low
You needn't tell me, boy, because I know
When it's sleepy time down south
Soft wind blowing through the pinewood trees
The folks down there live a life of ease
When old mammy falls on her knees
When it's sleepy time down south
Steamboats on the river a-coming, a-going
Splashing the night away
You hear those banjos ringing, all the people all singing
They dance 'til the break of day, oh
Dear old southland with his dreamy songs
Take me back where I belong
Right here in my mammy's arms
When it's sleepy time down south
Dear old southland with his dreamy songs
Take me back where I belong
Right here in my mammy's arms
When it's sleepy time, sleepy time, down south
Yes, Lord
The folks are crooning songs soft and low
You needn't tell me, boy, because I know
When it's sleepy time down south
Soft wind blowing through the pinewood trees
The folks down there live a life of ease
When old mammy falls on her knees
When it's sleepy time down south
Steamboats on the river a-coming, a-going
Splashing the night away
You hear those banjos ringing, all the people all singing
They dance 'til the break of day, oh
Dear old southland with his dreamy songs
Take me back where I belong
Right here in my mammy's arms
When it's sleepy time down south
Dear old southland with his dreamy songs
Take me back where I belong
Right here in my mammy's arms
When it's sleepy time, sleepy time, down south
Yes, Lord
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
When It's Sleepy Time Down South Lyrics as written by Leon Rene Clarence Muse
Lyrics © OTIS RENE PUBLICATIONS, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Shapiro Bernstein & Co Inc
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!