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.
If there is ever the impregnable question
Of why what did or didn't pass
It would help to seek
Comfort in destiny
But I really don't
We don't see eye to eye
But I need you
And you're always on my mind
Whether there is or isn't any position
You care if I take or I don't
I will always hope
What we shared so long
To be the only love
And though we don't see eye to eye
I need you
And you're always on my mind
Through time and through many a situation
We both look forward side-by-side
We have shared it all
We have both stood tall
What is mine is yours, in happiness and strife
You're my love
And I want you in my life
Of why what did or didn't pass
It would help to seek
Comfort in destiny
But I really don't
We don't see eye to eye
But I need you
And you're always on my mind
Whether there is or isn't any position
You care if I take or I don't
I will always hope
What we shared so long
To be the only love
And though we don't see eye to eye
I need you
And you're always on my mind
Through time and through many a situation
We both look forward side-by-side
We have shared it all
We have both stood tall
What is mine is yours, in happiness and strife
You're my love
And I want you in my life
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Firstly, this is a beautiful track.
I suppose I'm going to attempt to break this down as I see it presently.
If there is ever the impregnable question of why, what did or didn't pass. - "If we ever wonder why things turned out as they did."
It would help to seek comfort in destiny - "It would be handy to look at it from the perspective that everything happens for a reason."
but I really don't, - "But I don't" we don't see eye to eye - " as destiny and I don't see eye to eye."
but I need you and you're always on my mind - "And regardless of these thought, I know that I need you and you're all I think about."
Whether there is or isn't any position you care if I take or if I don't - "I don't know if you even care what position I take on the matter at this point."
I will always hold what what we shared so long - "But here's how it is- I'm going to hold on to the feeling we shared."
to be the only love, and though we don't see eye to eye I need you, and you're always on my mind - "That you are my only love, and even if we don't see things the same way, I need you, and you're all I think about."
Through time, and through many a situation We both look forward, side-by-side - "We've been through a lot together."
We have shared it all, we have both stood tall. - "And we braved some tough times and made it through."
What is mine is yours, in happiness and in strife - "Everything I have and am is yours, irrespective of how we feel."
You're my love, and I want you in my life - " You are the one I love, and I want you in my life."
That's just how I see it, I suppose. If you have any additions or thoughts, go for it.
I love this song! Quite the departure from most DP songs. A beautiful, short
Today, I listened to this with my girlfriend, to which she said "We should play this at our wedding."
If there was ever any question that she is my soulmate, that answered it!!
Congrats! Great song for a wedding. (I was never into conventional wedding songs and didn't have one at my wedding.) This line is especially wonderful, so you must have something very special: "we have shared it all."
beautifully simple song.
bit pedantic perhaps, but I've always listened to it slightly differently, without the '?' after the 'why':
If there is ever the impregnable question of why what did or didn't pass? it would help to seek comfort in destiny but i really don't, we don't see eye to eye.
I think this gives the sense of the first verse (and best, in my opinion!) better. I tend to think of this song as from the perspective of a guy whose relationship is breaking or has broken down. he says that you can ask questions about why things broke down, and it may help to think that it was 'fate', but thinking like that can't help him get over it. it's such a simple idea, but is conveyed so perfectly in that verse.
Song about a couple who may or may not have lasted, but they had a child together. Although the relationship still proves difficult, they find happiness in what theyve built together and aren't looking back at what ifs.