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.
Wooden Jesus, where are you from?
Korea or Canada or maybe Taiwan?
Well, I didn't know it was the holy land
But I believed from the minute the check left my hand
And I pray
Can I be saved? I spent all my money
On a future grave
Wooden Jesus, I'll cut you in
On twenty percent of my future sin
I'll cut you in
Yeah, Porcelain Mary, her majesties pure
Looking for virgin territory
Coat hanger halos that don't come cheap
From television shepherds with living room sheep
And I pray
Can I be saved?
I spent all my money on a future grave
Wooden Jesus, I'll cut you in
On twenty percent of my future sin
I'll cut you in
I'll cut you in
And Wooden Jesus, where are you from?
Korea or Canada or maybe Taiwan?
Well, I didn't know it was the holy land
But I believed from the minute the check left my hand
Well, can I be saved?
I spent all my money on a future grave
Wooden Jesus, I'll cut you in
On twenty percent of my future sin
Hey
I'll cut you in, I'll cut you in
I'll cut you in, I'll cut you in
I'll cut you in, I'll cut you in
Yeah
Mmm, woo
Korea or Canada or maybe Taiwan?
Well, I didn't know it was the holy land
But I believed from the minute the check left my hand
And I pray
Can I be saved? I spent all my money
On a future grave
Wooden Jesus, I'll cut you in
On twenty percent of my future sin
I'll cut you in
Yeah, Porcelain Mary, her majesties pure
Looking for virgin territory
Coat hanger halos that don't come cheap
From television shepherds with living room sheep
And I pray
Can I be saved?
I spent all my money on a future grave
Wooden Jesus, I'll cut you in
On twenty percent of my future sin
I'll cut you in
I'll cut you in
And Wooden Jesus, where are you from?
Korea or Canada or maybe Taiwan?
Well, I didn't know it was the holy land
But I believed from the minute the check left my hand
Well, can I be saved?
I spent all my money on a future grave
Wooden Jesus, I'll cut you in
On twenty percent of my future sin
Hey
I'll cut you in, I'll cut you in
I'll cut you in, I'll cut you in
I'll cut you in, I'll cut you in
Yeah
Mmm, woo
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@WanderingHypocrit @d_psi4or - or possibly 'wooden' relates to Andy Wood....somehow, but that Jesus//God//Theology//Religion was the heroin replacement choice to get out of drug addiction. Maybe since Andy Wood (via Malfunkshun, at that point in time) was one of the earliest pioneers of grunge, such as all of the other artists featured on 'Deep Six' compilation(aka the start of grunge music) - Andy represented 'Jesus' to Chris in a way, as a 'prophet' of sorts - who led the grunge movement forward with his talent and ambition but fell from grace....as Jesus descended into Hell for 3 days or whatever Christianity says...I don't remember....as in, Andy fell from his talents and drive to help create something amazing and to change the course of rock'n'roll history as honestly, the link between hair metal of the 80's and grunge music of the 90's - similar to Jesus in ways, maybe in theory or relevance - because he had a vision and a mission and an impressive drive that helped to spark something very influential in Earth's development & societal culture (aka, grunge music) that was to be appreciated for hundreds of years....or, well, let's hope so....I don't think it has anything to do with the falsehood of cheap crucifixes as good luck charms or home decor or like...hope that God will eventually save you just because you have one above the door of your kitchen but ignore spirituality and don't ever do introspection, read about theology, go to church or at least - spend time connecting to 'Source'/the Universe/God - or developing your spirituality. Buying the religious item doesn't save you. You gotta do the introspective work and spend the time. I'm honestly not sure exactly how much this song pertains to religion other than just like, a kind of weird and off-put representation of Andy Wood's vision...