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.
All of your life you're sitting inside
Watching the world go by
Taking your time oh never mind
There's really no reason to try
What do you know?
Taking the risk, oh taking the time
Nobody seems to oblige
Waiting for someone to show you the way
It's hard to see hope in their eyes
And then they tell you about the things you've done
They know the answers, but really, what do they know?
What do you know?
Woops, oh what's your mistake?
I know it's so hard to try
They beg you to leave, oh they beg you to stay
It's never an easy ride
What do you know?
So here's a chance to show to you
All of the things in your way
The message is clear but it's hard to hear
So listen to what we say
What do you know?
Watching the world go by
Taking your time oh never mind
There's really no reason to try
What do you know?
Taking the risk, oh taking the time
Nobody seems to oblige
Waiting for someone to show you the way
It's hard to see hope in their eyes
And then they tell you about the things you've done
They know the answers, but really, what do they know?
What do you know?
Woops, oh what's your mistake?
I know it's so hard to try
They beg you to leave, oh they beg you to stay
It's never an easy ride
What do you know?
So here's a chance to show to you
All of the things in your way
The message is clear but it's hard to hear
So listen to what we say
What do you know?
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
When I'm With You Lyrics as written by Mack Gordon Harry Revel
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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