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.
[Intro]
All right
[Verse 1]
Hold me in your loving arms
The powder blast did take away my eyes
Hold me in the bosom of the love
I bleed, for she is no surprise
[Pre-Chorus 1]
I'll wrap my arms around her
Squeeze so tight
I'll pop the eyes out of her head
I'll wrap my arms around her
Squeeze so tight
And I won't let go till she's dead
Till she's dead
[Pre-Chorus 2]
Give it just a little more
Liberty is out the door
[Chorus]
If not too much to mention
Between sanity and blame
With all the best intentions
Do you know her name?
Do you know her name?
She absorbs the pain
In the coldest cold of all your winters
History remains
Do you know her name?
[Verse 2]
Shelter me from danger
From the coldest hearts that wish that we would die
Protect me from the wolves
Keep them at bay, until the next height of our rise
[Pre-Chorus 1]
I'll wrap my arms around her
Squeeze so tight
Till every drop of blood has bled
I'll wrap my arms around her
Hold her tight
Until our enemies are dead
Till they're dead
[Pre-Chorus 2]
One, two, three, four
Liberty is out the door
[Chorus]
If not too much to mention
Between sanity and blame
With all the best intentions
Do you know her name?
Do you know her name?
She absorbs the pain
In the coldest cold of all your winters
History remains
Do you know her name?
[Interlude]
[Bridge]
So, sow the seeds of hate
The clock strikes half past three
The longer that we'll wait
The clock strikes half past late
So deep inside the fray
No matter what they say
To fight another day
To find another way
Find another way
[Guitar Solo]
[Chorus]
If not too much to mention
Between sanity and blame
With all the best intentions
Do you know her name?
Do you know her name?
Do you know her name?
Do you know her name?
She absorbs the pain
Do you know her name?
In the coldest cold of all your winters
History remains
Do you know her name?
All right
[Verse 1]
Hold me in your loving arms
The powder blast did take away my eyes
Hold me in the bosom of the love
I bleed, for she is no surprise
[Pre-Chorus 1]
I'll wrap my arms around her
Squeeze so tight
I'll pop the eyes out of her head
I'll wrap my arms around her
Squeeze so tight
And I won't let go till she's dead
Till she's dead
[Pre-Chorus 2]
Give it just a little more
Liberty is out the door
[Chorus]
If not too much to mention
Between sanity and blame
With all the best intentions
Do you know her name?
Do you know her name?
She absorbs the pain
In the coldest cold of all your winters
History remains
Do you know her name?
[Verse 2]
Shelter me from danger
From the coldest hearts that wish that we would die
Protect me from the wolves
Keep them at bay, until the next height of our rise
[Pre-Chorus 1]
I'll wrap my arms around her
Squeeze so tight
Till every drop of blood has bled
I'll wrap my arms around her
Hold her tight
Until our enemies are dead
Till they're dead
[Pre-Chorus 2]
One, two, three, four
Liberty is out the door
[Chorus]
If not too much to mention
Between sanity and blame
With all the best intentions
Do you know her name?
Do you know her name?
She absorbs the pain
In the coldest cold of all your winters
History remains
Do you know her name?
[Interlude]
[Bridge]
So, sow the seeds of hate
The clock strikes half past three
The longer that we'll wait
The clock strikes half past late
So deep inside the fray
No matter what they say
To fight another day
To find another way
Find another way
[Guitar Solo]
[Chorus]
If not too much to mention
Between sanity and blame
With all the best intentions
Do you know her name?
Do you know her name?
Do you know her name?
Do you know her name?
She absorbs the pain
Do you know her name?
In the coldest cold of all your winters
History remains
Do you know her name?
Lyrics submitted by Kingofstilport
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.