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.
Now that push turned to shove, damn it!
and my mind is my own
Still, you poke and you prod daily
with that off-setting harsh tone
And you thought that you had me
Underground with no doubt
Now the dirt lays on you heavy
Rusty blade cut that tongue out
Wise to your dealings
Wise to your games
Wise to the way you abrogate
The truth for self-gain
While the air keeps growing thinner
And my grip remains tight
Maybe now you'll reflect
On how you tortured me day and night
You saw my bones getting shattered
Along with my pride
And on that dreadful day
You watched my heart, empty out and die
Wise to your dealings
Wise to your games
Wise to the way you abrogate
The truth for self-gain
It's a brand new day
And it's a brand-new crisis
But was it worth the win
When you see what the price is
You say the past is the past, huh?
Just water under your bridge
Well today that bridge collapsed
Upon the sea that won't soon forgive
And no you're not immune
and you've created this monster
Now you just walk like a fool
Into the arms of righteous anger
and my mind is my own
Still, you poke and you prod daily
with that off-setting harsh tone
And you thought that you had me
Underground with no doubt
Now the dirt lays on you heavy
Rusty blade cut that tongue out
Wise to your dealings
Wise to your games
Wise to the way you abrogate
The truth for self-gain
While the air keeps growing thinner
And my grip remains tight
Maybe now you'll reflect
On how you tortured me day and night
You saw my bones getting shattered
Along with my pride
And on that dreadful day
You watched my heart, empty out and die
Wise to your dealings
Wise to your games
Wise to the way you abrogate
The truth for self-gain
It's a brand new day
And it's a brand-new crisis
But was it worth the win
When you see what the price is
You say the past is the past, huh?
Just water under your bridge
Well today that bridge collapsed
Upon the sea that won't soon forgive
And no you're not immune
and you've created this monster
Now you just walk like a fool
Into the arms of righteous anger
Lyrics submitted by Kingofstilport
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