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.
There is concrete below me and a sky above so blue
I'm finally leavin' Austin and I wish it was with you
I am just a sickness and you seem to be the cure
How much can a southern girl honestly endure?
Remember northwest mountains, they were snow-capped in June
You were nappin' on my arms on a Sunday afternoon
But babe, I've gotta heal myself from the things I've never felt
Repression is my Heaven but I'd rather go through hell
It's 'bout time that I left Austin, 'bout time you settled down
With a man who doesn't move as quick as trains rollin' through town
'Bout time that I faced the hard times I've let go
Love was just an ocean, I would drown before I float
You remember gettin' drunk on the outskirts of this town
When I gave you all I had but it still let you down?
Everyone I've ever loved has either left or died
Wish I was born with concrete shoes but I'm leavin' tonight
It's 'bout time that I left Austin, 'bout time you settled down
With a man who doesn't move as quick as the trains rollin' through town
'Bout time that I faced the hard times I've let go
Love was just an ocean, I would drown before I float
Float
Float
There's concrete below me and a sky above so blue
People ruin people, I don't wanna ruin you
I am just a sickness and you seem to be the cure
How much can a southern girl honestly endure?
And I'm finally gone from Austin, you finally settled down
With a man who didn't move as quick as the trains that rolled through town
I've finally had to face the hard times I've let go
If lovin' you was an ocean, I'd have drowned so you could float
I'm finally leavin' Austin and I wish it was with you
I am just a sickness and you seem to be the cure
How much can a southern girl honestly endure?
Remember northwest mountains, they were snow-capped in June
You were nappin' on my arms on a Sunday afternoon
But babe, I've gotta heal myself from the things I've never felt
Repression is my Heaven but I'd rather go through hell
It's 'bout time that I left Austin, 'bout time you settled down
With a man who doesn't move as quick as trains rollin' through town
'Bout time that I faced the hard times I've let go
Love was just an ocean, I would drown before I float
You remember gettin' drunk on the outskirts of this town
When I gave you all I had but it still let you down?
Everyone I've ever loved has either left or died
Wish I was born with concrete shoes but I'm leavin' tonight
It's 'bout time that I left Austin, 'bout time you settled down
With a man who doesn't move as quick as the trains rollin' through town
'Bout time that I faced the hard times I've let go
Love was just an ocean, I would drown before I float
Float
Float
There's concrete below me and a sky above so blue
People ruin people, I don't wanna ruin you
I am just a sickness and you seem to be the cure
How much can a southern girl honestly endure?
And I'm finally gone from Austin, you finally settled down
With a man who didn't move as quick as the trains that rolled through town
I've finally had to face the hard times I've let go
If lovin' you was an ocean, I'd have drowned so you could float
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