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.
Busted flat in Baton Rouge, waitin' for a train
Feelin' nearly faded as my jeans
And Bobby flagged the diesel down, just before it rained
Took us all the way to New Orleans
I took my harpon out of my dirty red bandanna
I was blowin' sad while Bobby sang the blue
With them windshield wipers slappin' time and Bobby clappin' hands
We finally sang near every song that driver knew
Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to do
Nothin' ain't worth nothin' but it's free
Feelin' good was easy Lord, when Bobby sang the blues
Feelin' good was good enough for me
Good enough for me and Bobby McGee
From the coal mines of Kentucky to the California sun
Bobby shared the secrets of my soul
Standing right beside me, Lord, in everything I done
Bobby's body kept me from the cold
Then somewhere near Salinas, Lord, I let her slip away
Lookin' for that home, I hope she finds
And I'd trade all my tomorrows for a single yesterday
Holding Bobby's body close to mine
Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose
Nothin' was all she left for me
Feelin' good was easy Lord, when Bobby sang the blues
Feelin' good was good enough for me
Good enough for me and Bobby McGee
Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to do
Nothin' ain't worth nothin' but it's free
Feelin' good was easy Lord, when Bobby sang the blues
Feelin' good was good enough for me
Good enough for me and Bobby McGee
Feelin' nearly faded as my jeans
And Bobby flagged the diesel down, just before it rained
Took us all the way to New Orleans
I took my harpon out of my dirty red bandanna
I was blowin' sad while Bobby sang the blue
With them windshield wipers slappin' time and Bobby clappin' hands
We finally sang near every song that driver knew
Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to do
Nothin' ain't worth nothin' but it's free
Feelin' good was easy Lord, when Bobby sang the blues
Feelin' good was good enough for me
Good enough for me and Bobby McGee
From the coal mines of Kentucky to the California sun
Bobby shared the secrets of my soul
Standing right beside me, Lord, in everything I done
Bobby's body kept me from the cold
Then somewhere near Salinas, Lord, I let her slip away
Lookin' for that home, I hope she finds
And I'd trade all my tomorrows for a single yesterday
Holding Bobby's body close to mine
Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose
Nothin' was all she left for me
Feelin' good was easy Lord, when Bobby sang the blues
Feelin' good was good enough for me
Good enough for me and Bobby McGee
Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to do
Nothin' ain't worth nothin' but it's free
Feelin' good was easy Lord, when Bobby sang the blues
Feelin' good was good enough for me
Good enough for me and Bobby McGee
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Me & Bobby McGee Lyrics as written by Fred L. Foster, Kris Kristofferson
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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