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.
Why's it never light on my lawn?
Why does it rain and never say "Good day" to the new-born?
On the big screen they showed us the sun
But not as bright in life as the real one
It's never quite the same as the real one
And tell me grey seal
How does it feel to be so wise?
To see through eyes that only see what's real
Tell me, grey seal
I never learned why meteors were formed
I only farmed in schools that were so warn and torn
If anyone can cry then so can I
I read books and draw life from the eye
All my life is drawings from the eye
And tell me grey seal
How does it feel to be so wise?
To see through eyes that only see what's real
Tell me, grey seal
Your mission bells were wrought by ancient men
The roots were formed by twisted roots
Your roots were twisted then
I was re-born before all life could die
The phoenix bird will leave this world to fly
If the phoenix bird can fly then so can I
And tell me grey seal
How does it feel to be so wise?
To see through eyes that only see what's real
Tell me, grey seal
Why does it rain and never say "Good day" to the new-born?
On the big screen they showed us the sun
But not as bright in life as the real one
It's never quite the same as the real one
And tell me grey seal
How does it feel to be so wise?
To see through eyes that only see what's real
Tell me, grey seal
I never learned why meteors were formed
I only farmed in schools that were so warn and torn
If anyone can cry then so can I
I read books and draw life from the eye
All my life is drawings from the eye
And tell me grey seal
How does it feel to be so wise?
To see through eyes that only see what's real
Tell me, grey seal
Your mission bells were wrought by ancient men
The roots were formed by twisted roots
Your roots were twisted then
I was re-born before all life could die
The phoenix bird will leave this world to fly
If the phoenix bird can fly then so can I
And tell me grey seal
How does it feel to be so wise?
To see through eyes that only see what's real
Tell me, grey seal
Lyrics submitted by toadtws, edited by loupgarous
Grey Seal Lyrics as written by Elton John Bernie Taupin
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
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Bernie Taupin\'s lyrics have endured.\n\nLove that phase at the end where the song goes up a few notes and starts churning with wahwah pedal. Great closing bars.