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.
Rhythmically moving
Emotions are rising
Quivering to music
Trembling bodies in song
Go unsteadily sliding, devious gliding
So beautifully sailing and floating on
Life's real when angels and serpents dance
Life's real when angels and serpents dance
Twistedly slipping
Radiance soaring
Winding maliciously, creeping, flowing
Righteous, moral and just (righteous, moral and just)
Deceitful, the creature is crawling
The guardians flying, the dance is breathing
Who's leading?
Life's real when angels and serpents dance
Life's real when angels and serpents dance
Life's real when angels and serpents dance
Life's real when angels and serpents dance
Who's leading? Leading you?
Everything you say, everything that you do
Believe in what is true
One must lead in the dance
Who's leading you?
Life's real when angels and serpents dance
Life's real when angels and serpents dance
Life's real when angels and serpents dance
Life's real when angels and serpents dance
Who's leading? Leading you?
Everything you say, everything that you do
Believe in what is true
One must lead in the dance
Who's leading you?
Emotions are rising
Quivering to music
Trembling bodies in song
Go unsteadily sliding, devious gliding
So beautifully sailing and floating on
Life's real when angels and serpents dance
Life's real when angels and serpents dance
Twistedly slipping
Radiance soaring
Winding maliciously, creeping, flowing
Righteous, moral and just (righteous, moral and just)
Deceitful, the creature is crawling
The guardians flying, the dance is breathing
Who's leading?
Life's real when angels and serpents dance
Life's real when angels and serpents dance
Life's real when angels and serpents dance
Life's real when angels and serpents dance
Who's leading? Leading you?
Everything you say, everything that you do
Believe in what is true
One must lead in the dance
Who's leading you?
Life's real when angels and serpents dance
Life's real when angels and serpents dance
Life's real when angels and serpents dance
Life's real when angels and serpents dance
Who's leading? Leading you?
Everything you say, everything that you do
Believe in what is true
One must lead in the dance
Who's leading you?
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
When Angels & Serpents Dance [2022 Remix Remaster] Lyrics as written by Mark Albert Renk Marcos Curiel
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
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I hated this song the first time I heard it, and thus I hated the album. But now I'm reconsidering... I now like this song.