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 had a false belief
I thought I came here to stay
We're all just visiting
All just breaking like waves
The oceans made me but who came up with love?
Push me pull me push me or pull me out
Push me pull me or pull me out {2X}
So if there were no angels would there be no sin?
You better stop me before I begin
But let me say: if I behave can you arrange a spacious hole in the ground
Somewhere nice make it nice
Where the land meets high tide
Push me, pull me, or pull me out
Push me, pull me? {2X}
Like a cloud dropping rain
I'm discarding all thought
I'll dry up, leaving puddles on the ground
I'm like an opening band for the sun
Push me, pull me {6X}
I've had enough, said enough, felt enough, I'm fine, still in it?
I thought I came here to stay
We're all just visiting
All just breaking like waves
The oceans made me but who came up with love?
Push me pull me push me or pull me out
Push me pull me or pull me out {2X}
So if there were no angels would there be no sin?
You better stop me before I begin
But let me say: if I behave can you arrange a spacious hole in the ground
Somewhere nice make it nice
Where the land meets high tide
Push me, pull me, or pull me out
Push me, pull me? {2X}
Like a cloud dropping rain
I'm discarding all thought
I'll dry up, leaving puddles on the ground
I'm like an opening band for the sun
Push me, pull me {6X}
I've had enough, said enough, felt enough, I'm fine, still in it?
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This is how are time on the earth is just a visit weather long or short. It could be Eddie Vedders concept of afterlife. It sounds like a mix of Nick Cave and a little U2.