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.
Wait, oh yes, wait a minute, Mister Postman
Wait, wai-ai-ai-ait Mister Postman
Mister Postman look and see
(Oh, yeah) Is there a letter in your bag for me?
(Please, please, Mister Postman) I been waiting a long, long time
(Oh, yeah) Since I heard from that girl of mine
There must be some word today
From my girlfriend so far away
Please, Mister Postman, look and see
If there's a letter, a letter for me
I been standing here waiting, Mister Postman
So patiently
For just a card or just a letter
Saying she's returning home to me
(Please, Mister Postman) Mister Postman look and see
(Oh, yeah) Is there a letter in your bag for me?
(Please, please, Mister Postman) I been waiting a long, long time
(Oh, yeah) Since I heard from that girl of mine
So many days you passed me by
See the tear standing in my eye
You didn't stop to make me feel better
By leaving me a card or a letter
Mister Postman (Mister Postman), look and see
Is there a letter in your bag for me?
I been waiting a long, long time
Since I heard from that girlfriend of mine
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
Wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
Check it and see, one more time for me
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
Mister Postman, oh yeah
Deliver the letter, the sooner the better
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
Wait, wai-ai-ai-ait Mister Postman
Mister Postman look and see
(Oh, yeah) Is there a letter in your bag for me?
(Please, please, Mister Postman) I been waiting a long, long time
(Oh, yeah) Since I heard from that girl of mine
There must be some word today
From my girlfriend so far away
Please, Mister Postman, look and see
If there's a letter, a letter for me
I been standing here waiting, Mister Postman
So patiently
For just a card or just a letter
Saying she's returning home to me
(Please, Mister Postman) Mister Postman look and see
(Oh, yeah) Is there a letter in your bag for me?
(Please, please, Mister Postman) I been waiting a long, long time
(Oh, yeah) Since I heard from that girl of mine
So many days you passed me by
See the tear standing in my eye
You didn't stop to make me feel better
By leaving me a card or a letter
Mister Postman (Mister Postman), look and see
Is there a letter in your bag for me?
I been waiting a long, long time
Since I heard from that girlfriend of mine
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
Wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
Check it and see, one more time for me
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
Mister Postman, oh yeah
Deliver the letter, the sooner the better
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
It's by the Marvelettes, not the Supremes actually. And why is it surprising that the original artist did it better?