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.
I can't believe this now
This isn't what I planned
I lived and died and now
I just can't understand
With all the love I feel
I could never leave her
No matter what the cost
My soul's the price to see her
Oh, how I love you
The pain won't go away
Oh, when I need you
You're always so far away
I cry for you
Leaving myself to blame
I died for you
I gave up everything
The pain was just too much
When I finally saw her
She's happy and in love
In love with my best friend
What makes it hurt so bad
Is that I love them both
And they will never know
For love I sold my soul
Oh, how I love you
The pain won't go away
Oh, when I need you
You're always so far away
I cry for you
Leaving myself to blame
I died for you
I gave up everything
Oh, how I love you
The pain won't go away
Oh, when I need you (I need you)
You're always so far away
And I cry, I cry for you, for you
Leaving myself to blame
I died for you (I died for you)
I gave up everything
Oh, how I love you
The pain won't go away
Oh, when I need you
You're always so far away
This isn't what I planned
I lived and died and now
I just can't understand
With all the love I feel
I could never leave her
No matter what the cost
My soul's the price to see her
Oh, how I love you
The pain won't go away
Oh, when I need you
You're always so far away
I cry for you
Leaving myself to blame
I died for you
I gave up everything
The pain was just too much
When I finally saw her
She's happy and in love
In love with my best friend
What makes it hurt so bad
Is that I love them both
And they will never know
For love I sold my soul
Oh, how I love you
The pain won't go away
Oh, when I need you
You're always so far away
I cry for you
Leaving myself to blame
I died for you
I gave up everything
Oh, how I love you
The pain won't go away
Oh, when I need you (I need you)
You're always so far away
And I cry, I cry for you, for you
Leaving myself to blame
I died for you (I died for you)
I gave up everything
Oh, how I love you
The pain won't go away
Oh, when I need you
You're always so far away
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Songs in general and Iced Earth songs in particular can evoke quite strong emotions. I Died For You has a haunting melody and extremely sad lyrics. If you're in an emotional state, it's quite possible to cry over this song. Anyway...