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.
[Verse 1]
Lately I have no faith in myself
I have nothing offered but myself
And I wake up and it's lonely
And I think of you in that city
Or you're driving your car
And all the things we will do
When you are back again
It keeps me alive
[Chorus]
Your tenderness is filling me with hope
Your tenderness is filling me with hope
Your tenderness is filling me with hope
Your tenderness
Your tenderness
[Verse 2]
This world is a cold one
I'll never understand
And I feel like I've been hiding
All my life
Sometimes I wish the sea would open up
And take me
But then I think of you
And how you're strong and you're delicate
And that makes it alright
[Chorus]
Your tenderness is filling me with hope
Your tenderness is filling me with hope
Your tenderness is filling me with hope
Your tenderness
Your tenderness
[Bridge]
Oh if there's anyone
Who can mend my heart
It's got to be you
Oh if there's anyone
Who can mend my heart
Well it's got to be you
It's got to be you
[Chorus]
Your tenderness is filling me with hope
Your tenderness is filling me with hope
Your tenderness is filling me with hope
Your tenderness
Your tenderness
Lately I have no faith in myself
I have nothing offered but myself
And I wake up and it's lonely
And I think of you in that city
Or you're driving your car
And all the things we will do
When you are back again
It keeps me alive
[Chorus]
Your tenderness is filling me with hope
Your tenderness is filling me with hope
Your tenderness is filling me with hope
Your tenderness
Your tenderness
[Verse 2]
This world is a cold one
I'll never understand
And I feel like I've been hiding
All my life
Sometimes I wish the sea would open up
And take me
But then I think of you
And how you're strong and you're delicate
And that makes it alright
[Chorus]
Your tenderness is filling me with hope
Your tenderness is filling me with hope
Your tenderness is filling me with hope
Your tenderness
Your tenderness
[Bridge]
Oh if there's anyone
Who can mend my heart
It's got to be you
Oh if there's anyone
Who can mend my heart
Well it's got to be you
It's got to be you
[Chorus]
Your tenderness is filling me with hope
Your tenderness is filling me with hope
Your tenderness is filling me with hope
Your tenderness
Your tenderness
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
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