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.
Can we say that we are free?
Our hands are bound and voices silent
I'm sure it's not a dream
I am awake my eyes are open
I can't accept and won't concede
In aftermath we find redemption
The causes that are seized
And disguised as revolution
Quell the rage that deeply seethes
The extremes of these devotions
Dismantle the machine
The device of their creation
I can't accept and won't concede
That this is who we are
The conflict that is seized
And disguised as greater notions
To the songs that sing of glory and the brave
Are we dreaming there are better days to come?
When will the banners and the victory parades
Celebrate the day a better world was won?
On the day
The storm has just begun
I will still hope
There are better days to come
In the face of what I say
My words return to anger
Malevolence in need
Cannot provide direction
I won't accept this thought
That this is who we are
Positions never change
Losing all forward motion
Harbour that which deeply seethes
Temper your devotion
Dismantle the machine
The device of your convictions
I can't accept and won't concede
That this is who we are
The conflict that is seized
And disguised as greater notions
To the songs that sing of glory and the brave
Are we dreaming there are better days to come?
When will the banners and the victory parades
Celebrate the day a better world was won?
To the songs that sing of the glory and the brave
Are we dreaming there are better days to come?
When will the banners and the victory parades
Celebrate the day a better world was won?
On the day the storm has just begun
I will still hope there are better days to come
On the day the storm has just begun
I will still hope there are better days to come
Our hands are bound and voices silent
I'm sure it's not a dream
I am awake my eyes are open
I can't accept and won't concede
In aftermath we find redemption
The causes that are seized
And disguised as revolution
Quell the rage that deeply seethes
The extremes of these devotions
Dismantle the machine
The device of their creation
I can't accept and won't concede
That this is who we are
The conflict that is seized
And disguised as greater notions
To the songs that sing of glory and the brave
Are we dreaming there are better days to come?
When will the banners and the victory parades
Celebrate the day a better world was won?
On the day
The storm has just begun
I will still hope
There are better days to come
In the face of what I say
My words return to anger
Malevolence in need
Cannot provide direction
I won't accept this thought
That this is who we are
Positions never change
Losing all forward motion
Harbour that which deeply seethes
Temper your devotion
Dismantle the machine
The device of your convictions
I can't accept and won't concede
That this is who we are
The conflict that is seized
And disguised as greater notions
To the songs that sing of glory and the brave
Are we dreaming there are better days to come?
When will the banners and the victory parades
Celebrate the day a better world was won?
To the songs that sing of the glory and the brave
Are we dreaming there are better days to come?
When will the banners and the victory parades
Celebrate the day a better world was won?
On the day the storm has just begun
I will still hope there are better days to come
On the day the storm has just begun
I will still hope there are better days to come
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by Mellow_Harsher
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