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.
Hello you straight-laced lady,
Dressed in white but your shoes aren't clean.
Painted them up with polish
In the hope we can't see where you've been.
The smiling face that you've worn
To greet me rising at morning --
Sent me out to work for my score.
Please me and say what it's for.
Give me the straight-laced promise
And not the pathetic lie.
Tie me down with your ribbons
And sulk when I ask you why.
Your Sunday paper voice cries
Demanding truths I deny.
The bitter-sweet kiss you pretended
Is offered, our affair mended.
Sossity: You're a woman.
Society: You're a woman.
All of the tears you're wasting
Are for yourself and not for me.
It's sad to know you're aging
Sadder still to admit I'm free.
Your immature physical toy has grown,
Too young to enjoy at last your straight-laced agreement:
Woman, you were too old for me.
Sossity: You're a woman.
Society: You're a woman.
Dressed in white but your shoes aren't clean.
Painted them up with polish
In the hope we can't see where you've been.
The smiling face that you've worn
To greet me rising at morning --
Sent me out to work for my score.
Please me and say what it's for.
Give me the straight-laced promise
And not the pathetic lie.
Tie me down with your ribbons
And sulk when I ask you why.
Your Sunday paper voice cries
Demanding truths I deny.
The bitter-sweet kiss you pretended
Is offered, our affair mended.
Sossity: You're a woman.
Society: You're a woman.
All of the tears you're wasting
Are for yourself and not for me.
It's sad to know you're aging
Sadder still to admit I'm free.
Your immature physical toy has grown,
Too young to enjoy at last your straight-laced agreement:
Woman, you were too old for me.
Sossity: You're a woman.
Society: You're a woman.
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