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.
The clouds prepare for battle
In the dark and brooding silence
Bruised and sullen storm clouds
Have the light of day obscured
Looming low and ominous
In twilight premature
Thunderheads are rumbling
In a distant overture
All at once,
The clouds are parted
Light streams down
In bright unbroken beams
Follow men's eyes
As they look to the skies
The shifting shafts of shining
Weave the fabric of their dreams
In the dark and brooding silence
Bruised and sullen storm clouds
Have the light of day obscured
Looming low and ominous
In twilight premature
Thunderheads are rumbling
In a distant overture
All at once,
The clouds are parted
Light streams down
In bright unbroken beams
Follow men's eyes
As they look to the skies
The shifting shafts of shining
Weave the fabric of their dreams
Lyrics submitted by maxthedork, edited by chp2112
Jacob's Ladder Lyrics as written by Alex Lifeson Geddy Lee
Lyrics © Anthem Entertainment
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I can't argue with OmegaThesis's take on those lyrics. Especially considering the name of the song is a biblical reference. But, my understanding is, that Peart is an agnostic. Not sure why an agnostic would write a song about the second advent of Christ. Unless he considers the Bible on the same footing with Greek mythology and Ayn Rand's writings, upon which some of his other lyrics are based.
And, assuming that is the correct interpretation, what can we infer from it? Get right with God NOW, you miserable sinners, before it's too late?
Or perhaps, It's always darkest before the dawn?
I like mrbubble's closing comments about a personal war. I think that Peart's lyrics usually do have a personal meaning...regardless of how detached from the individual they appear on the surface.