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.
If you're scared and it shows
Cause you're watching them grow
And traveling blows
When you're out of road
And when you jump up
The earth wants you back
Your resentment grow
Till you're all alone
But you're so smart
How could they not know
When you're standing there
In good humored white
And how do you do it
And make it seem effortless
When it's all the stupid things
So overwhelming to me
Like paying my bills
Or showing up for work early
Or laughing at your jokes
When you first said
That anything goes
Or a problem is a task
Disguised in work clothes
That's when I knew I had to move
And how do you do it
And make it seem delicate
When it's all the stupid things
So damn confusing to me
Like talking it through
Controlling my temper
Like letting it go
Saying please forgive me
Or laughing at your jokes
I have no idea what's
Been going on lately
And I just wish you'd
Come over and explain things
And I have no idea what's
Been going on lately
And I just wish you'd
Come over and explain things
And I have no idea what's
Been going on lately
And I just wish you'd
Come over and explain things
And I have no idea what's
Been going on lately
And I just wish you'd
Come over and explain things
Why do they do it
Show up anyway
When they know that damn well
There is no room
For promotions out here
And maybe it's wise
And maybe I'm just stupid
For laughing at your jokes
Cause you're watching them grow
And traveling blows
When you're out of road
And when you jump up
The earth wants you back
Your resentment grow
Till you're all alone
But you're so smart
How could they not know
When you're standing there
In good humored white
And how do you do it
And make it seem effortless
When it's all the stupid things
So overwhelming to me
Like paying my bills
Or showing up for work early
Or laughing at your jokes
When you first said
That anything goes
Or a problem is a task
Disguised in work clothes
That's when I knew I had to move
And how do you do it
And make it seem delicate
When it's all the stupid things
So damn confusing to me
Like talking it through
Controlling my temper
Like letting it go
Saying please forgive me
Or laughing at your jokes
I have no idea what's
Been going on lately
And I just wish you'd
Come over and explain things
And I have no idea what's
Been going on lately
And I just wish you'd
Come over and explain things
And I have no idea what's
Been going on lately
And I just wish you'd
Come over and explain things
And I have no idea what's
Been going on lately
And I just wish you'd
Come over and explain things
Why do they do it
Show up anyway
When they know that damn well
There is no room
For promotions out here
And maybe it's wise
And maybe I'm just stupid
For laughing at your jokes
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This is my favorite Rilo Kiley song which is even more awesome because it is so open to interpretation. It could be applied to almost any situation.