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.
Peddling as hard and fast as I can go
The basket on my bicycle is hanging low
It's filled with things that I am bringing to your house
You said some strange things on the phone
I want to know what they're about
When I get there you are gone
Your things in boxes on your lawn
And all the books you ever read
Are stacked upon the step instead
Of in your room and all your shoes are
Strung out on your neighbour's fence
Among all this I find a note addressed to me, it says:
I'm leaving this place
Not by choice it's my fate
I don't want to hurt you
Not trying to desert you
Some people just weren't cut out for this race
Get back on my bicycle
I'm moving slow
I never thought I'd realize the type of things I've come to know
Some people just weren't cut out for this type of life
To end up like their fathers
With a house, a dog, two kids, a wife
The pressures of society are bound to get to you
I guess I'll have to let him go
I guess I'll cut him loose
The basket on my bicycle is hanging low
It's filled with things that I am bringing to your house
You said some strange things on the phone
I want to know what they're about
When I get there you are gone
Your things in boxes on your lawn
And all the books you ever read
Are stacked upon the step instead
Of in your room and all your shoes are
Strung out on your neighbour's fence
Among all this I find a note addressed to me, it says:
I'm leaving this place
Not by choice it's my fate
I don't want to hurt you
Not trying to desert you
Some people just weren't cut out for this race
Get back on my bicycle
I'm moving slow
I never thought I'd realize the type of things I've come to know
Some people just weren't cut out for this type of life
To end up like their fathers
With a house, a dog, two kids, a wife
The pressures of society are bound to get to you
I guess I'll have to let him go
I guess I'll cut him loose
Lyrics submitted by beau99
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