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.
On this glorious day we're all citizens
By all your warrior's names we swear diligence
Lay the first stone we lay at your feet
All the world trembles, begs and flees
Everybody wants one
Everybody needs one
Everybody heard the word, it's a sign
Well, no one else can make one
If you're the one to take one
But I know that you know
You know, that I don't lie
Everybody wants one
Everybody needs one
But they don't grab a stone, the rocks, the box
So they can own your sword
But we don't wanna share one
We have worked so hard, so hard, alone
Harder than steel is my king's will
Emissaries, dignitaries, ladies and gentlemen
My beloved citizens
It is time to ignite the mighty flame
Of the royal beacon
And then unveil the statue of our ruler
We celebrate, we built
A statue of the king
Bigger than the last one
Bigger than the best one
Bigger than the tracks we drag to these trains
There's nothing to compare to
No one can prepare you
But I know that you know
You know, that I don't lie
Stronger than the last one
Bigger than the best one
Make it from the stone and rocks and moss
So you can try to make one
Cause we ain't gonna show one
We all worked so hard, so hard, so hard
Emissaries, dignitaries, ladies and gentlemen
My beloved citizens
It is time to ignite the mighty flame
Of the royal beacon
And then unveil the statue of our ruler
We celebrate, we built
A statue of the king
Harder than steel is my king's will
Emissaries, dignitaries, ladies and gentlemen
My beloved citizens
It is time to ignite the mighty flame
Of the royal beacon
And then unveil the statue of our ruler
We celebrate, we built
A statue of the king
By all your warrior's names we swear diligence
Lay the first stone we lay at your feet
All the world trembles, begs and flees
Everybody wants one
Everybody needs one
Everybody heard the word, it's a sign
Well, no one else can make one
If you're the one to take one
But I know that you know
You know, that I don't lie
Everybody wants one
Everybody needs one
But they don't grab a stone, the rocks, the box
So they can own your sword
But we don't wanna share one
We have worked so hard, so hard, alone
Harder than steel is my king's will
Emissaries, dignitaries, ladies and gentlemen
My beloved citizens
It is time to ignite the mighty flame
Of the royal beacon
And then unveil the statue of our ruler
We celebrate, we built
A statue of the king
Bigger than the last one
Bigger than the best one
Bigger than the tracks we drag to these trains
There's nothing to compare to
No one can prepare you
But I know that you know
You know, that I don't lie
Stronger than the last one
Bigger than the best one
Make it from the stone and rocks and moss
So you can try to make one
Cause we ain't gonna show one
We all worked so hard, so hard, so hard
Emissaries, dignitaries, ladies and gentlemen
My beloved citizens
It is time to ignite the mighty flame
Of the royal beacon
And then unveil the statue of our ruler
We celebrate, we built
A statue of the king
Harder than steel is my king's will
Emissaries, dignitaries, ladies and gentlemen
My beloved citizens
It is time to ignite the mighty flame
Of the royal beacon
And then unveil the statue of our ruler
We celebrate, we built
A statue of the king
Lyrics submitted by Daozen
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The song is part of the concept album "Avatar Country." The album, as a whole, centers on the King of Avatar Country. The metaphor basically equates the band's music as a country, which means the King would represent the leader or representative of the band's music.
This song is about how the people of Avatar Country build a statue for the king. The people are enthusiastic and eager to build the statue for their beloved king (ie "Bigger than the last one, bigger than the best one!"), and the king is appreciatiative of them too (ie "My beloved citizens!"). The song thus demonstrates the relationship between the King of Avatar Country and the people of Avatar Country. Therefore, the song speaks to the relationship between the band Avatar and the listeners / fans of Avatar.