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.
Once I thought you'd shelter me
Put your arms round me and hold me close
But now I'm vulnerable as a child
'cus you're at the mercy of your ghosts
And all the reasons you gave me were false
But I had nowhere else to go
And all the reasons you gave me were false
But I had nowhere else to go
You always thought you'd live alone
In the safety of your dreams
But that left me out in the cold
Naked and fragile I couldn't leave
And all the reasons you gave me were false
But I had nowhere else to go
And all the reasons you gave me were false
But I had nowhere else to go
And all the reasons you gave me were false
But I had nowhere else to go
And all the reasons you gave me were false
But I had nowhere else to go
Put your arms round me and hold me close
But now I'm vulnerable as a child
'cus you're at the mercy of your ghosts
And all the reasons you gave me were false
But I had nowhere else to go
And all the reasons you gave me were false
But I had nowhere else to go
You always thought you'd live alone
In the safety of your dreams
But that left me out in the cold
Naked and fragile I couldn't leave
And all the reasons you gave me were false
But I had nowhere else to go
And all the reasons you gave me were false
But I had nowhere else to go
And all the reasons you gave me were false
But I had nowhere else to go
And all the reasons you gave me were false
But I had nowhere else to go
Lyrics submitted by FrokenKeke
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