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.
Good God, you said
Is that the only thing you care about
Splitting up the money
And share it out
The cake's being eaten
Straight through the mouth
Poison Poised to come back in
Season For all the ones who lack
Reason
Measure by measure, drop by drop
And pound for pound, we're taking stock
Of all the treasure still unlocked
The love you found must never stop
The king is dead
And long live the people who aim above
All the simple stuff never understood
Like right from bad and wrong from good
Deny That you were ever tempted by the
Lie That there's an answer in the
Sky
Measure by measure, drop by drop
And pound for pound, we're taking stock
Of all the treasure still unlocked
The love you found must never stop
Oh, oh Oh, oh Oh, oh Oh, oh
Never stop Never stop
Never stop Never stop
Never stop Never stop
Never stop Never stop Never stop
Measure by measure, drop by drop
And pound for pound, we're taking stock
Of all the treasure still unlocked
The love you found must never
Measure by measure, drop by drop
And pound for pound, we're taking stock
Of all the treasure still unlocked
The love you found must never stop
(Stop) Never stop
(Stop stop) Never stop (Stop)
Never stop (Stop stop)
Never stop (Stop stop stop)
Never stop (Stop stop stop)
Never stop
Is that the only thing you care about
Splitting up the money
And share it out
The cake's being eaten
Straight through the mouth
Poison Poised to come back in
Season For all the ones who lack
Reason
Measure by measure, drop by drop
And pound for pound, we're taking stock
Of all the treasure still unlocked
The love you found must never stop
The king is dead
And long live the people who aim above
All the simple stuff never understood
Like right from bad and wrong from good
Deny That you were ever tempted by the
Lie That there's an answer in the
Sky
Measure by measure, drop by drop
And pound for pound, we're taking stock
Of all the treasure still unlocked
The love you found must never stop
Oh, oh Oh, oh Oh, oh Oh, oh
Never stop Never stop
Never stop Never stop
Never stop Never stop
Never stop Never stop Never stop
Measure by measure, drop by drop
And pound for pound, we're taking stock
Of all the treasure still unlocked
The love you found must never
Measure by measure, drop by drop
And pound for pound, we're taking stock
Of all the treasure still unlocked
The love you found must never stop
(Stop) Never stop
(Stop stop) Never stop (Stop)
Never stop (Stop stop)
Never stop (Stop stop stop)
Never stop (Stop stop stop)
Never stop
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
@Bulgaroktonos Yes, there's a story that a guy in Scotland took issue with the anti-Thatcher theme of the song, confronted McCulloch at a hotel or hall and also insinuated Ian was a homosexual and a melee ensued. McCulloch claims he kicked and clocked the guy.