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.
You pack your bags And you move to the city
There's somethin' missin' here at home
You fix your hair and you're lookin' real pretty
It's time to get it out on your own
You're always fightin' with your mama and you papa
Your family life is one big pain!
When you, you gonna move to the city?
Into the city where it all began
You gotta move, you gotta move
Ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma
Time you gotta move
You stole your mama's car
And your daddy's plastic credit card
You're sixteen and you can't get a job
You're not goin' very far
You're always ridin' with the teachers and the police
This life is much too insane
When you, you gonna move to the city?
Into the city where it all began
You gotta move, you gotta move
Ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma
Time you gotta move
Right to the city Where the real men get it
Aw, child, ain't it a pity?
Sometimes it gets too shitty
Come on and hit me
You're on the streets And it ain't so pretty
You need to get a new what you please
You do what you gotta do for the money
At times you end up on your knees
I'm always buyin' With the local and the junkies
This city life is one big pain!
But you, you had to move to the city
Into the city where it all began
You gotta move, you gotta move
Ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma
Time you gotta move
Oh right to the city With the real nitty gritty
Aw, child, ain't it a pity?
Sometimes it gets too shitty
Come on and hit me
There's somethin' missin' here at home
You fix your hair and you're lookin' real pretty
It's time to get it out on your own
You're always fightin' with your mama and you papa
Your family life is one big pain!
When you, you gonna move to the city?
Into the city where it all began
You gotta move, you gotta move
Ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma
Time you gotta move
You stole your mama's car
And your daddy's plastic credit card
You're sixteen and you can't get a job
You're not goin' very far
You're always ridin' with the teachers and the police
This life is much too insane
When you, you gonna move to the city?
Into the city where it all began
You gotta move, you gotta move
Ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma
Time you gotta move
Right to the city Where the real men get it
Aw, child, ain't it a pity?
Sometimes it gets too shitty
Come on and hit me
You're on the streets And it ain't so pretty
You need to get a new what you please
You do what you gotta do for the money
At times you end up on your knees
I'm always buyin' With the local and the junkies
This city life is one big pain!
But you, you had to move to the city
Into the city where it all began
You gotta move, you gotta move
Ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma
Time you gotta move
Oh right to the city With the real nitty gritty
Aw, child, ain't it a pity?
Sometimes it gets too shitty
Come on and hit me
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!
I love the live version when they extend the song, and they sound like a big band from the 30's. lol