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.
I don't want to hurt you
No reason have I but fear
And I ain't guilty of the crimes you accuse me of
But I'm guilty of fear
I'm sorry to remind you
But I'm scared of what we're creating
This life ain't fair
You don't get something for nothing, turn now
Mmmm, gotta try a little harder
It could be sweet
Like a long forgotten dream
And we don't need them
To cast the fate we have
Love don't always shine through
'Cause I don't wanna lose
What we had last time, you're leaving
This life ain't fair
You don't get something for nothing, turn now
Mmmm, gotta try a little harder
It could be sweet
But the thoughts we try to deny
Take a toll upon our lives
We struggle on in depths of pride
Tangled up in single minds
'Cause I don't want to lose
What we had last time, you're leaving
This life ain't fair
You don't get something for nothing, turn back
Mmmm, gotta try a little harder
'Cause I don't wanna lose
What we had last time, you're leaving
This life ain't fair, no
You don't get something for nothing, turn back
Mmmm, gotta try a little harder
It could be sweet
No reason have I but fear
And I ain't guilty of the crimes you accuse me of
But I'm guilty of fear
I'm sorry to remind you
But I'm scared of what we're creating
This life ain't fair
You don't get something for nothing, turn now
Mmmm, gotta try a little harder
It could be sweet
Like a long forgotten dream
And we don't need them
To cast the fate we have
Love don't always shine through
'Cause I don't wanna lose
What we had last time, you're leaving
This life ain't fair
You don't get something for nothing, turn now
Mmmm, gotta try a little harder
It could be sweet
But the thoughts we try to deny
Take a toll upon our lives
We struggle on in depths of pride
Tangled up in single minds
'Cause I don't want to lose
What we had last time, you're leaving
This life ain't fair
You don't get something for nothing, turn back
Mmmm, gotta try a little harder
'Cause I don't wanna lose
What we had last time, you're leaving
This life ain't fair, no
You don't get something for nothing, turn back
Mmmm, gotta try a little harder
It could be sweet
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gentle and fragile, this song is. beth's voice is like a dream, a sweet dream.