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.
October
And the trees are stripped bare
Of all they wear
What do I care?
October
And kingdoms rise
And kingdoms fall
But you go on and on
And the trees are stripped bare
Of all they wear
What do I care?
October
And kingdoms rise
And kingdoms fall
But you go on and on
Lyrics submitted by yuri_sucupira
October Lyrics as written by Paul Hewson Adam Clayton
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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"October" is perfection. Simple but most certainly not without a powerful punch. I think of it as a 'moving on' kind of song. Seasons change, people die, kingdoms rise and fall, but eventually we all have to move on. Sometimes we don't do it intentionally but time just moves on and we're just passengers.
Also, I don't know how many people have made this connection but I felt it worth a mention. October is the month of Samhain, or Halloween, which in Ireland and Scotland is celebrated as "Summer's End". Traditionally Samhain was celebrated by the Celts as a way of honoring the dead and opening a "new beginning" in life's cycle.
"October" certainly has the celtic feel to it as it speaks of moving on and whispers of new beginnings after the loss of dear things.