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.
There's a solitary man cryin', "hold me!"
It's only because he's a-lonely
And if the keeper of time runs slowly
He won't be alive for long
If he only had time to tell of all of the things he planned
With a card up his sleeve, what would he achieve?
It means nothing
To the opium dens and the barroom gin
In the Belmont chair playing violin
The gambler's face cracks into a grin
As he lays down the king of spades
But the dealer just stares
"There's something wrong here", he thinks
The gambler is seized and forced to his knees
And shot dead
He only wanted more time
Away from the darkest door
But his luck it gave in
As the dawn light crept in
And he lay on the floor
From the Hundred Year War to the Crimea
With a lance and a musket and a Roman spear
To all of the men who have stood with no fear
In the service of the King
Before you met your fate
Be sure you did not forsake
Your lover may not be around anymore
There's a solitary man cryin', "hold me!"
It's only because he's a-lonely
And if the keeper of time runs slowly
He won't be alive for long
It's only because he's a-lonely
And if the keeper of time runs slowly
He won't be alive for long
If he only had time to tell of all of the things he planned
With a card up his sleeve, what would he achieve?
It means nothing
To the opium dens and the barroom gin
In the Belmont chair playing violin
The gambler's face cracks into a grin
As he lays down the king of spades
But the dealer just stares
"There's something wrong here", he thinks
The gambler is seized and forced to his knees
And shot dead
He only wanted more time
Away from the darkest door
But his luck it gave in
As the dawn light crept in
And he lay on the floor
From the Hundred Year War to the Crimea
With a lance and a musket and a Roman spear
To all of the men who have stood with no fear
In the service of the King
Before you met your fate
Be sure you did not forsake
Your lover may not be around anymore
There's a solitary man cryin', "hold me!"
It's only because he's a-lonely
And if the keeper of time runs slowly
He won't be alive for long
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Ditto...was always my favourite track save for the title track intro.