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.
It's where I'm coming from
It's where you're going
In a dark tunnel, blindfolded
It's where you leave your home
And I follow the steps into your future
Like I know what's coming
I follow you like a stray
And your back says I'm looking
Never mind what's ahead
Just don't stop
No don't stop
Because I'm walking in your footsteps
Covering your tracks down river
I'm walking in your footsteps
Turning dust into diamonds
This road is not your own, it's been covered
It's been chartered so many times
Every single line every warning sign is warn down and forgotten
I follow you like a stray
And your back says I'm looking
Never mind what's ahead
Just don't stop
No don't stop
Because I'm walking in your footsteps
Covering your tracks down river
I'm walking in your footsteps
Turning dust into diamonds
Turnin' the dust into diamonds
Turnin' turnin'
So never mind what's ahead
Just don't stop
No don't stop
Because I'm walking in your footsteps
Covering your tracks down river
I'm walking in your footsteps
Turning dust into diamonds
Oh I'm walking in your footsteps
Every single one
Turning dust into diamonds
Turning dust into diamonds
It's where you're going
In a dark tunnel, blindfolded
It's where you leave your home
And I follow the steps into your future
Like I know what's coming
I follow you like a stray
And your back says I'm looking
Never mind what's ahead
Just don't stop
No don't stop
Because I'm walking in your footsteps
Covering your tracks down river
I'm walking in your footsteps
Turning dust into diamonds
This road is not your own, it's been covered
It's been chartered so many times
Every single line every warning sign is warn down and forgotten
I follow you like a stray
And your back says I'm looking
Never mind what's ahead
Just don't stop
No don't stop
Because I'm walking in your footsteps
Covering your tracks down river
I'm walking in your footsteps
Turning dust into diamonds
Turnin' the dust into diamonds
Turnin' turnin'
So never mind what's ahead
Just don't stop
No don't stop
Because I'm walking in your footsteps
Covering your tracks down river
I'm walking in your footsteps
Turning dust into diamonds
Oh I'm walking in your footsteps
Every single one
Turning dust into diamonds
Turning dust into diamonds
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by tikilights
Walking in Your Footsteps Lyrics as written by Adam Olenius
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Beautiful song. As the father of two teenage girls, that first verse is definitely "parent to child," as we all have to go through our own "dark tunnel blindfolded" despite what good advice a parent can give.
The rest of the song is "child to parent," as children continue to seek parental guidance throughout life, no matter how useful it is. I just hope my kids "cover my tracks" and turn my "dust into diamonds" after I'm gone!
"Optica" was my favorite album last year (edging out National & Vampire Weekend). It's a shame the Shout Out Louds didn't get the big American audience they deserved with that album. Next time, guys!