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.
Following desire in your eyes
You're mine, you're mine all mine
Following the signs in your mind
You're mine, you're mine, all mine
Bring me the head of the preacher
Man in the sickening daze
O, the rotting sun washes down
The moonshine boys, the vultures drool
They pluck the gold dust from his eyes
And pick his bones until they're clean
The book of sorrows, the American dreams
Bring me the head of the preacher man
On the blazing trail
Heaven holds lone star promise El Dorado
The insane theater, once more we rise
To drain the last of liquid sleep
The gift of chance
Eating the worm as the vapor drops and dances
And everything stops and dances
Bring me the head of the preacher man
We tumble down these lonely days
You're mine, you're mine all mine
Following the signs in your mind
You're mine, you're mine, all mine
Bring me the head of the preacher
Man in the sickening daze
O, the rotting sun washes down
The moonshine boys, the vultures drool
They pluck the gold dust from his eyes
And pick his bones until they're clean
The book of sorrows, the American dreams
Bring me the head of the preacher man
On the blazing trail
Heaven holds lone star promise El Dorado
The insane theater, once more we rise
To drain the last of liquid sleep
The gift of chance
Eating the worm as the vapor drops and dances
And everything stops and dances
Bring me the head of the preacher man
We tumble down these lonely days
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 meanace of this song, especially because it comes into the centre of the Hyena, which is filled with many theatric, meladolic songs. It's nice to hear that the banshees still knew how the be wicked and sinister when the mood took them.