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.
Madness comes, and madness goes
An insane place, with insane moves
Battles without, for battles within
Where evil lives and evil rules
Breaking them up, just breaking them in
Quickest way out, quickest relief wins
Never disclose, never betray
Cease to speak or cease to breathe
And when you kill a man, you're a murderer
Kill many, and you're a conqueror
Kill them all, oh you're a god
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a verdict?
Yes, we have you honor
We find the defendant guilty on all counts for crimes
Against all humanity
By virtue of the jury's decision and the power vested in me by the state,
I hereby sentence you to be incarcerated with no possibility of parole,
for life
Life? whale' ya' mean life? I ain't got a life!
Boy, your soul better belong to Jesus,'cause your ass belongs to me
Captive honour, ain't no honour
Captive honour, ain't no honour
No time for questions
No time for games
Start kicking ass
And taking down the names
A long shit list
A shorter fuse
He is untouchable
And guarantees you'll lose
Captive honour, ain't no honour
Captive honour, ain't no honour
Inside the bighouse
His nightmare unfolds
Before he got there
His manpussy was sold
Black blanket welcome
This tough guy's now a bitch
Praying for death
It can't be worse than this
Captive honour, ain't no honour
Captive honour, ain't no honour
Captive honour, ain't no honour
An insane place, with insane moves
Battles without, for battles within
Where evil lives and evil rules
Breaking them up, just breaking them in
Quickest way out, quickest relief wins
Never disclose, never betray
Cease to speak or cease to breathe
And when you kill a man, you're a murderer
Kill many, and you're a conqueror
Kill them all, oh you're a god
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a verdict?
Yes, we have you honor
We find the defendant guilty on all counts for crimes
Against all humanity
By virtue of the jury's decision and the power vested in me by the state,
I hereby sentence you to be incarcerated with no possibility of parole,
for life
Life? whale' ya' mean life? I ain't got a life!
Boy, your soul better belong to Jesus,'cause your ass belongs to me
Captive honour, ain't no honour
Captive honour, ain't no honour
No time for questions
No time for games
Start kicking ass
And taking down the names
A long shit list
A shorter fuse
He is untouchable
And guarantees you'll lose
Captive honour, ain't no honour
Captive honour, ain't no honour
Inside the bighouse
His nightmare unfolds
Before he got there
His manpussy was sold
Black blanket welcome
This tough guy's now a bitch
Praying for death
It can't be worse than this
Captive honour, ain't no honour
Captive honour, ain't no honour
Captive honour, ain't no honour
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