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.
Time
Has coloured in
The black and white
Of your sin
So burn
Burn the flag
Rip it up
Bury the rags
But I will find you still
Move in for the kill
You cut her hair
So live
Live long
See her face
In everyone
And turn
Turn the page
Start again
Change your name
But I will find you still
Move in for the kill
You cut her hair
You cut her hair
You cut her hair
Has coloured in
The black and white
Of your sin
So burn
Burn the flag
Rip it up
Bury the rags
But I will find you still
Move in for the kill
You cut her hair
So live
Live long
See her face
In everyone
And turn
Turn the page
Start again
Change your name
But I will find you still
Move in for the kill
You cut her hair
You cut her hair
You cut her hair
Lyrics submitted by ThreeMilesDown
You Cut Her Hair Lyrics as written by Tom Mcrae
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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Yeah, that seems like the correct interpretation faded. Just look at the lyrics of the first verse! Black and white: most ww2 footage is b+w, also the time thats passed since then has 'coloured in' just how horrific it was, some people no longer see it as black/white good/evil. This haunting song is tom saying how time cannot make right the wrongs of the nazi attrocities. Also I believe many nazis changed their names post war to avoid persecution by the allies.
This is written as though he has some personal attachment to event, from the point of view of the girls brother or similar, who survived maybe. It certainly speaks volumes to me, my grandfather was the only one of his family to escape the nazis.