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.
Locked
in a windowless room
with a permanent light
Caught
overrun by the thought
in the back of my mind
You
you asked me why
But you already know
Already know
When the lights go down I will bring you back to me
Because the sound of your heartbeat is the sound I believe
It's the rhythm of emotion forever taking me
Away away;
Away above:
This is our Ministry of Love
Tongue
of the well crafted words
and the double think mind
Choked
by the party smoke
All the petals turned white
You
You asked me why
But you already know
Only you know
When the lights go down I will bring you back to me
(x3)
Because the sound of your heartbeat is the sound I believe
It's the rhythm of emotion forever taking me
Away away;
Away above:
This is our Ministry of Love
(x2)
This is our Ministry of Love
in a windowless room
with a permanent light
Caught
overrun by the thought
in the back of my mind
You
you asked me why
But you already know
Already know
When the lights go down I will bring you back to me
Because the sound of your heartbeat is the sound I believe
It's the rhythm of emotion forever taking me
Away away;
Away above:
This is our Ministry of Love
Tongue
of the well crafted words
and the double think mind
Choked
by the party smoke
All the petals turned white
You
You asked me why
But you already know
Only you know
When the lights go down I will bring you back to me
(x3)
Because the sound of your heartbeat is the sound I believe
It's the rhythm of emotion forever taking me
Away away;
Away above:
This is our Ministry of Love
(x2)
This is our Ministry of Love
Lyrics submitted by 11milleran
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hmm, so romantic. an intriguingly lyrical compass for the entire album.