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.
Those who share our dreams of a new world
Marching line by line toward our fate
Subjugate the poor, enslave the weak
All those who oppose shall be ground into dust
On this hallowed ground we stake our claim
Victory or death before dishonor
Those unfit to live shall be erased
Plague of human trash cleansed and relieved of life
Driven to conquer destined to succeed
Driven to conquer for selfish needs
Driven to conquer hunger and greed
Driven to conquer on victory we feed
And if I shall fall
Will you carry on?
Struggle for our cause
Pursue victory!
Justice and freedom
For those deserving
Triumph through force of will
Destroy those who hold us back
Persevere or die
We triumph!
Let nothing stop us - destroy
We shall overcome all odds
Driven to conquer destined to succeed
Driven to conquer for selfish needs
Driven to conquer hunger and greed
Driven to conquer on victory we feed
Weakness overcome, replaced by strength
Covered in glory. Victorious
Defeated masses crumble and fall
Hatred burns our souls
Driven to conquer all
Marching line by line toward our fate
Subjugate the poor, enslave the weak
All those who oppose shall be ground into dust
On this hallowed ground we stake our claim
Victory or death before dishonor
Those unfit to live shall be erased
Plague of human trash cleansed and relieved of life
Driven to conquer destined to succeed
Driven to conquer for selfish needs
Driven to conquer hunger and greed
Driven to conquer on victory we feed
And if I shall fall
Will you carry on?
Struggle for our cause
Pursue victory!
Justice and freedom
For those deserving
Triumph through force of will
Destroy those who hold us back
Persevere or die
We triumph!
Let nothing stop us - destroy
We shall overcome all odds
Driven to conquer destined to succeed
Driven to conquer for selfish needs
Driven to conquer hunger and greed
Driven to conquer on victory we feed
Weakness overcome, replaced by strength
Covered in glory. Victorious
Defeated masses crumble and fall
Hatred burns our souls
Driven to conquer all
Lyrics submitted by BreezyDragon
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