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 the moon asking to stay
Long enough for the clouds to fly me away
Well it's my time coming, I'm not afraid
Afraid to die
My fading voice sings of love
But she cries to the clicking of time
Oh, time
Wait in the fire, wait in the fire
Wait in the fire, wait in the fire
Fire
And she weeps on my arm
Walking to the bright lights in sorrow
Oh, drink a bit of wine, we both might go tomorrow
Oh, my love
And the rain is falling
And I believe my time has come
It reminds me of the pain I might leave
Leave behind
Wait in the fire, wait in the fire
Wait in the fire, wait in the fire
Fire
(It reminds me of the pain) I might leave
Leave behind
And I feel them drown my name
So easy to know and forget with this kiss
I'm not afraid to go
But it goes so slow, ooh-oh
Wait in the fire, wait in the fire
Oh-oh-oh!
(Wait in the fire, wait in the fire) yeah, yeah, ooh
(Wait in the fire, wait in the fire)
(Wait in the fire, wait in the fire)
Long enough for the clouds to fly me away
Well it's my time coming, I'm not afraid
Afraid to die
My fading voice sings of love
But she cries to the clicking of time
Oh, time
Wait in the fire, wait in the fire
Wait in the fire, wait in the fire
Fire
And she weeps on my arm
Walking to the bright lights in sorrow
Oh, drink a bit of wine, we both might go tomorrow
Oh, my love
And the rain is falling
And I believe my time has come
It reminds me of the pain I might leave
Leave behind
Wait in the fire, wait in the fire
Wait in the fire, wait in the fire
Fire
(It reminds me of the pain) I might leave
Leave behind
And I feel them drown my name
So easy to know and forget with this kiss
I'm not afraid to go
But it goes so slow, ooh-oh
Wait in the fire, wait in the fire
Oh-oh-oh!
(Wait in the fire, wait in the fire) yeah, yeah, ooh
(Wait in the fire, wait in the fire)
(Wait in the fire, wait in the fire)
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I could come up with something better, but what the hell: I LOVE THIS SONG. It's amazing - such talent from one guy...