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 don't have to take the bar exam to see
What you've done is ignoramus 103
What've I got to hang my hat on?
You don't have a pot to pee in
All this just to be your friend
I was there until the end
Extortion and arson, petty larceny
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you hung up my line
Star 69
I know all about the warehouse fire
I know squirrels didn't chew the wires
Three people have my number
The other two were with me
I don't like to tell-tell but I'm not your patsy
This time you have gone too far with me
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you hung up my line
Star 69
Why'd you put your quarter down on me?
This reads like some dork inside edition hard copy
I can't be your character witness
I can't be your alibi
Doorbell rings it's the FBI
We learned Spy vs. Spy
You, my friend, are guilty as can be
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you hung up my line
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I can't be your alibi
Star 69
What you've done is ignoramus 103
What've I got to hang my hat on?
You don't have a pot to pee in
All this just to be your friend
I was there until the end
Extortion and arson, petty larceny
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you hung up my line
Star 69
I know all about the warehouse fire
I know squirrels didn't chew the wires
Three people have my number
The other two were with me
I don't like to tell-tell but I'm not your patsy
This time you have gone too far with me
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you hung up my line
Star 69
Why'd you put your quarter down on me?
This reads like some dork inside edition hard copy
I can't be your character witness
I can't be your alibi
Doorbell rings it's the FBI
We learned Spy vs. Spy
You, my friend, are guilty as can be
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you hung up my line
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I know you called
I can't be your alibi
Star 69
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Star 69 is Automatic Call Back telephone service in the USA. It allows you to automatically redial the last incoming call to your phone line by dialing *69