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.
Nothin' 'round here to me that's sacred
'Cept you, yeah you
Nothin' 'round here to me that matters
'Cept you, yeah you
You're the one that reaches me
You're the one that I admire
Every time we meet together
I feel like I'm on fire
Nothin' matters to me
And there is nothin' I desire
'Cept you, yeah you
Nothin' 'round here I care to try for
'Cept you, yeah you
Got nothin' here to live or die for
'Cept you, yeah you
As a kid I'd hear it
In the churches all the time
Make me feel so good inside
So peaceful, so sublime
Now nothin' does remind me
Of that old familiar chime
'Cept you, yeah you
Used to run in the cemetery
Dance and run and sing when I was a child
And it never seemed strange
Now I just pass mournfully by
That place where the bones of life are piled
I know something has changed
I'm a stranger here and no one sees me
'Cept you, yeah you
Nothin' anymore seems to please me
'Cept you, yeah you
Your love hypnotizes me
It holds me in its spell
Everything runs by me
Just like water from a well
Everybody wants my attention
Everybody's got something to sell
'Cept you, yeah you
I'm in love with you
I'm in love with you
'Cept you, yeah you
Nothin' 'round here to me that matters
'Cept you, yeah you
You're the one that reaches me
You're the one that I admire
Every time we meet together
I feel like I'm on fire
Nothin' matters to me
And there is nothin' I desire
'Cept you, yeah you
Nothin' 'round here I care to try for
'Cept you, yeah you
Got nothin' here to live or die for
'Cept you, yeah you
As a kid I'd hear it
In the churches all the time
Make me feel so good inside
So peaceful, so sublime
Now nothin' does remind me
Of that old familiar chime
'Cept you, yeah you
Used to run in the cemetery
Dance and run and sing when I was a child
And it never seemed strange
Now I just pass mournfully by
That place where the bones of life are piled
I know something has changed
I'm a stranger here and no one sees me
'Cept you, yeah you
Nothin' anymore seems to please me
'Cept you, yeah you
Your love hypnotizes me
It holds me in its spell
Everything runs by me
Just like water from a well
Everybody wants my attention
Everybody's got something to sell
'Cept you, yeah you
I'm in love with you
I'm in love with you
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I truly love this song. it's so much more intense and emotional than bob dylans original. I get all excitet each time he starts with "used to run in .." and all the instruments kick in. feels like rushing thru the fields on a summerday with the sun in your back and all your friends and loved ones by your side