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.
Morning comes too early
And night time falls too late
And sometimes all I want to do is wait
The shadow I've been hiding in
Has fled from me today
I know it's easier
To walk away
Than look it in the eye
But I will raise a shelter to the sky
And here beneath this star tonight I'll lie
She'll slowly yield the light
As I awaken from the longest night
Dreams are shaking set sirens waking up tired eyes
With the light the memories all rush into his head
By a candle stands a mirror of his heart and soul she dances
She was dancing through the night above his bed
And walking to the window
He throws the shutters out against the wall
And from an ivory tower hears her call
"Let light surround you"
It's been a long, long time
He's had a while to think it over
In the end he only sees the change
Light to dark
Dark to light
Light to dark
Dark to light
Heaven must be more than this
When angels waken with a kiss
Sacred hearts won't take the pain
But mine will never be the same
He stands before the window
His shadow slowly fading from the wall
And from an ivory tower hears her call
"Let the light surround you"
Once lost but I was found
When I heard that stained glass
Shatter all around me
I sent the spirits tumbling down the hill
My whole heart is what I had left me still
She whispers words to clear my mind
I once could see but now at last
I'm blind
I know it's easier
To walk away
Than look it in the eye
But I have given all that I could take
And now I've only habits left to break
Tonight I'll still be lying here surrounded
In all the light
And night time falls too late
And sometimes all I want to do is wait
The shadow I've been hiding in
Has fled from me today
I know it's easier
To walk away
Than look it in the eye
But I will raise a shelter to the sky
And here beneath this star tonight I'll lie
She'll slowly yield the light
As I awaken from the longest night
Dreams are shaking set sirens waking up tired eyes
With the light the memories all rush into his head
By a candle stands a mirror of his heart and soul she dances
She was dancing through the night above his bed
And walking to the window
He throws the shutters out against the wall
And from an ivory tower hears her call
"Let light surround you"
It's been a long, long time
He's had a while to think it over
In the end he only sees the change
Light to dark
Dark to light
Light to dark
Dark to light
Heaven must be more than this
When angels waken with a kiss
Sacred hearts won't take the pain
But mine will never be the same
He stands before the window
His shadow slowly fading from the wall
And from an ivory tower hears her call
"Let the light surround you"
Once lost but I was found
When I heard that stained glass
Shatter all around me
I sent the spirits tumbling down the hill
My whole heart is what I had left me still
She whispers words to clear my mind
I once could see but now at last
I'm blind
I know it's easier
To walk away
Than look it in the eye
But I have given all that I could take
And now I've only habits left to break
Tonight I'll still be lying here surrounded
In all the light
Lyrics submitted by Idan, edited by uncle11519
Surrounded Lyrics as written by John Petrucci Michael Portnoy
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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