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 know I should be happy in your land
It's not all that wild to me
Not that I want to be any other where
I know it's hell out there
Here in the borders of america town
All of the dollies are spinning round and round
Hail to the chief
Lets just drag them all down
There's got to be a hero somewhere
Used to get annoyed at the fire and the flag
Now it just seems old to me
(everyone is old to me)
And I know we'd kick your ass
But first I'll take a nap tonight
And know someone's looking out for me
Here in the borders of America town
All of the dollies are spinning round and round
Hail to the chief
Let's just drag them all down
There's got to be a hero somewhere
I tried it
I've seen it
I bought it all
Not that I'm upset
I can still make my bet on the basketball game
And I got my spare change
I'm even o.k. with the hoodlums on the hill
They're in my will
Like her and you
Whom and who
In america town
We all spin around
In america town
I'm really not down¡
We all spin around
In america town
America town
America town
It's not all that wild to me
Not that I want to be any other where
I know it's hell out there
Here in the borders of america town
All of the dollies are spinning round and round
Hail to the chief
Lets just drag them all down
There's got to be a hero somewhere
Used to get annoyed at the fire and the flag
Now it just seems old to me
(everyone is old to me)
And I know we'd kick your ass
But first I'll take a nap tonight
And know someone's looking out for me
Here in the borders of America town
All of the dollies are spinning round and round
Hail to the chief
Let's just drag them all down
There's got to be a hero somewhere
I tried it
I've seen it
I bought it all
Not that I'm upset
I can still make my bet on the basketball game
And I got my spare change
I'm even o.k. with the hoodlums on the hill
They're in my will
Like her and you
Whom and who
In america town
We all spin around
In america town
I'm really not down¡
We all spin around
In america town
America town
America town
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I'm not sure whether this is supposed to be about corprate america, or just a small boring town. It would make sense either way...