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.
(Hey god) why are you doing this to me?
Am I not living up to what I'm supposed to be?
Why am I seething with this animosity?
(Hey god) I think you owe me a great big apology
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
(Hey god) I really don't know what you mean
Seems like salvation comes only in our dreams
I feel my hatred grow all the more extreme
(Hey god) can this world really be as sad as it seems?
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Don't take it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't take it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't take it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't take it away from me, I need someone to hold on to
Don't tear it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't tear it away from me, I need you to someone on to
Don't tear it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't tear it, don't tear it, don't tear it, don't tear it, don't
(Hey god) there's nothing left for me to hide
I lost my ignorance, security and pride
I'm all alone in a world you must despise
(Hey god) I believed the promises, your promises and lies
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
You made me throw it all away
My morals left to decay (terrible lie)
How many you betray you've taken everything (terrible lie)
My head is filled with disease
My skin is begging you please (terrible lie)
I'm on my hands and knees, I want so much to believe
(I give you everything)
(My sweet everything)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
Am I not living up to what I'm supposed to be?
Why am I seething with this animosity?
(Hey god) I think you owe me a great big apology
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
(Hey god) I really don't know what you mean
Seems like salvation comes only in our dreams
I feel my hatred grow all the more extreme
(Hey god) can this world really be as sad as it seems?
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Don't take it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't take it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't take it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't take it away from me, I need someone to hold on to
Don't tear it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't tear it away from me, I need you to someone on to
Don't tear it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't tear it, don't tear it, don't tear it, don't tear it, don't
(Hey god) there's nothing left for me to hide
I lost my ignorance, security and pride
I'm all alone in a world you must despise
(Hey god) I believed the promises, your promises and lies
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
You made me throw it all away
My morals left to decay (terrible lie)
How many you betray you've taken everything (terrible lie)
My head is filled with disease
My skin is begging you please (terrible lie)
I'm on my hands and knees, I want so much to believe
(I give you everything)
(My sweet everything)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
(I need someone to hold on to)
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An abused loved. From the perspective of the abused.