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.
"don't go there" I heard her say
"you can't stomach what you're going to see"
It's down there, by the water's edge
wasted and bloated and waiting for someone else
funny how, these things come about
when you're tied to the teeth and mouth
no sound of fury, no shot of pain
there was no real reason, no gain
I can't go down to the water's edge
I didn't do it...I saw who did
Don't go down to the water's edge
they did it once and they can do it again
it ain't no secret to me
how she got there down by the stream
I'd seen her the minute before the van pulled up and opened
the door (took all my love)
but I can't say a single word
about what I saw of her
her killers...they got their friends
in familiar places, I tell you man
this ain't no fucking game
and I'm feeling so ashamed
because I didn't do anything
no I didn't do anything
to stop this from happening
I didn't do a thing
I swear
"you can't stomach what you're going to see"
It's down there, by the water's edge
wasted and bloated and waiting for someone else
funny how, these things come about
when you're tied to the teeth and mouth
no sound of fury, no shot of pain
there was no real reason, no gain
I can't go down to the water's edge
I didn't do it...I saw who did
Don't go down to the water's edge
they did it once and they can do it again
it ain't no secret to me
how she got there down by the stream
I'd seen her the minute before the van pulled up and opened
the door (took all my love)
but I can't say a single word
about what I saw of her
her killers...they got their friends
in familiar places, I tell you man
this ain't no fucking game
and I'm feeling so ashamed
because I didn't do anything
no I didn't do anything
to stop this from happening
I didn't do a thing
I swear
Lyrics submitted by black_cow_of_death
Water's Edge Lyrics as written by Jason Ross Jason Pollock
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is my interpretation of the song. I've divided it up like the lyrics of the song. Just my opinion.
"Don't go looking for my problems because they are too much for you too handle. They're left behind me, ugly and torn - waiting for someone else to discover them"
Funny how your problems come about, when you're inhibited from saying anything. There's no scream for pain. There's no real reason, no gain from these problems
I can't go and find her problems. I didn't go, but I know who did. Don't go looking for them, I know someone who did it once - and I know they can do it again
It's no secret to me how she left her problems behind Because I saw her before, and saw them snatch her heart up and take her away
I can't say anything about the things I saw. These problems, they have companions, close to home, my friend
It's no secret to me how she left her problems behind. Because I saw her before, and saw them snatch her heart up and take her away
This isn't a game - it's real. I'm ashamed because I didn't help her through them. I didn't do anything to prevent this from happening.
"Don't go looking for my problems because they are too much for you too handle. They're left behind me, ugly and torn - waiting for someone else to discover them"
I didn't do a thing, and I should have helped her out.