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.
Francis!
Francis! be careful!
Trying so hard to keep up with the Jones's
Running a rat racing won by our noses
Always put one foot in front of the other
And dance to the beat of the decadent drummer
Just buy a brand new pair of Fred Astaire shoes
Climbing to the top, never gonna stop
It's the same old song and one two three and dec-a-dance
Dance, dance
Dance, dance
Dancing to the decadence dance, dance
Everybody decadancing
Dancing to the decadence
Dancing to the decadence dance
It's hard to stop once the music gets started
'til the soles of your feet harden up like your heart did
Stepping in line with the sign of the timer
Seduced by the tune of the decadent dancer
Just buy a brand new pair of Fred Astaire shoes
Climbing to the top, never gonna stop
It's the same old song and one two three and dec-a-dance
Dance, dance
Dance, dance
Dancing to the decadence dance, dance
Everybody decadancing
Dancing to the decadence
Dancing to the decadence dance
Francis! be careful!
Trying so hard to keep up with the Jones's
Running a rat racing won by our noses
Always put one foot in front of the other
And dance to the beat of the decadent drummer
Just buy a brand new pair of Fred Astaire shoes
Climbing to the top, never gonna stop
It's the same old song and one two three and dec-a-dance
Dance, dance
Dance, dance
Dancing to the decadence dance, dance
Everybody decadancing
Dancing to the decadence
Dancing to the decadence dance
It's hard to stop once the music gets started
'til the soles of your feet harden up like your heart did
Stepping in line with the sign of the timer
Seduced by the tune of the decadent dancer
Just buy a brand new pair of Fred Astaire shoes
Climbing to the top, never gonna stop
It's the same old song and one two three and dec-a-dance
Dance, dance
Dance, dance
Dancing to the decadence dance, dance
Everybody decadancing
Dancing to the decadence
Dancing to the decadence dance
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That is a great question. And a great song. ]:>