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.
The train pulled into Paris
Like a rocket to the moon.
The station's like a circus
Every face is a cartoon.
And everyone's stoned on pride
And drunk on cheap champagne.
Tonight this joie de vivre
Sure don't live up to its name.
Now all I can say is
I'd give this world to you
Every rock and every stone
Every masterpiece in Rome
And if you'd ask me to
I'd steal the Mona Lisa
Tear it up in little pieces
And lay them at your feet
For all the world to see.
But tonight I can't give you Paris.
Aristicats are everywhere
And the air is as thick as thieves.
She'd like nothing better than to
Steal the breath from me.
And the tower's lights ain't shinin'
As it hangs its head in shame
At the sight of American blood
On the streets of St. Germain
Washin' up into the Seine
And I'd give this world to you
I'd steal the crown and kingdom
From the Queen of England
And if you'd ask me to
I'd take this city in my hands
Break it down to grains of sand
And lay them at your feet
For all the world to see.
But tonight I can't give you Paris.
Like a rocket to the moon.
The station's like a circus
Every face is a cartoon.
And everyone's stoned on pride
And drunk on cheap champagne.
Tonight this joie de vivre
Sure don't live up to its name.
Now all I can say is
I'd give this world to you
Every rock and every stone
Every masterpiece in Rome
And if you'd ask me to
I'd steal the Mona Lisa
Tear it up in little pieces
And lay them at your feet
For all the world to see.
But tonight I can't give you Paris.
Aristicats are everywhere
And the air is as thick as thieves.
She'd like nothing better than to
Steal the breath from me.
And the tower's lights ain't shinin'
As it hangs its head in shame
At the sight of American blood
On the streets of St. Germain
Washin' up into the Seine
And I'd give this world to you
I'd steal the crown and kingdom
From the Queen of England
And if you'd ask me to
I'd take this city in my hands
Break it down to grains of sand
And lay them at your feet
For all the world to see.
But tonight I can't give you Paris.
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Paris Lyrics as written by Blair Daly Gordie Sampson
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management, Salut Ô Éditions, SO2 Édition, Quatryo Éditions, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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