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.
Temptation,
Why won't you leave me alone ?
Lurking every corner-
Everywhere I go
Self Control,
Don't turn your back on me now
When I need you the most
Constant pressure tests my will
My will or my won't
My self control escapes from me still
Hypocrite,
How could you be so cruel ?
And expect my faith in return ?
Resistance,
Is not as hard as it seems
When you close the door
I spent so long trusting in you
I trust you forgot
Just when I thought I believed in you
("What're you doing ? What're you doing ?")
It's time for me to deal
Becoming all too real
Living in fear,
Why did you lie and pretend ?
This has come to an end
I'll never trust you again
It's time you made your amends
Look in the mirror my friend
("That I haven't behaved as I should")
("Everything you need is around you. The only danger is inside you.")
("I thought you could control life, but it's not like that. There are things you can't control.")
Let's stare the problem right in the eye
It's plagued me from coast to coast
Racing the clock to please everyone
All but the one who matters the most
Reflections of reality
Are slowly coming into view
How in the hell could you possibly forgive me ?
After all the hell I put you through
It's time for me to deal
Becoming all too real
Living in fear
Why'd I betray my friend ?
Lying until the end
Living life so pretend
It's time to make my amends
I'll never hurt you again
Why won't you leave me alone ?
Lurking every corner-
Everywhere I go
Self Control,
Don't turn your back on me now
When I need you the most
Constant pressure tests my will
My will or my won't
My self control escapes from me still
Hypocrite,
How could you be so cruel ?
And expect my faith in return ?
Resistance,
Is not as hard as it seems
When you close the door
I spent so long trusting in you
I trust you forgot
Just when I thought I believed in you
("What're you doing ? What're you doing ?")
It's time for me to deal
Becoming all too real
Living in fear,
Why did you lie and pretend ?
This has come to an end
I'll never trust you again
It's time you made your amends
Look in the mirror my friend
("That I haven't behaved as I should")
("Everything you need is around you. The only danger is inside you.")
("I thought you could control life, but it's not like that. There are things you can't control.")
Let's stare the problem right in the eye
It's plagued me from coast to coast
Racing the clock to please everyone
All but the one who matters the most
Reflections of reality
Are slowly coming into view
How in the hell could you possibly forgive me ?
After all the hell I put you through
It's time for me to deal
Becoming all too real
Living in fear
Why'd I betray my friend ?
Lying until the end
Living life so pretend
It's time to make my amends
I'll never hurt you again
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This song is about Mike Portnoy's addiction to alcohol