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.
A body is washed up on a Norfolk beach
He was a friend that I could not reach
He thought I was cold but I understand
But for the grace of god goes another man
And I may
Just waste away
From doing nothing
But you're a martyr
For even less
For even less
For even less
A choirboy is buried on the moor
Where we used to go dreaming when we were bored
Some kids are best left to fend for themselves
And others were born to stack shelves
And I may
Just waste away
From doing nothing
But you're a martyr
For even less
For even less
For even less
(For even less)
(For even less)
(Zero, zero, nine, six)
(Two, two, five, one)
(Two, one, one, zero)
(Eight, one, zero, five)
(Zero, zero, nine, six)
(Two, two, five, one)
(Two, one, one, zero)
(Eight, one, zero, five)
(Zero, zero, nine, six)
(Two, two, five, one)
(Two, one, one, zero)
(Eight, one, zero, five)
He was a friend that I could not reach
He thought I was cold but I understand
But for the grace of god goes another man
And I may
Just waste away
From doing nothing
But you're a martyr
For even less
For even less
For even less
A choirboy is buried on the moor
Where we used to go dreaming when we were bored
Some kids are best left to fend for themselves
And others were born to stack shelves
And I may
Just waste away
From doing nothing
But you're a martyr
For even less
For even less
For even less
(For even less)
(For even less)
(Zero, zero, nine, six)
(Two, two, five, one)
(Two, one, one, zero)
(Eight, one, zero, five)
(Zero, zero, nine, six)
(Two, two, five, one)
(Two, one, one, zero)
(Eight, one, zero, five)
(Zero, zero, nine, six)
(Two, two, five, one)
(Two, one, one, zero)
(Eight, one, zero, five)
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've considered this song (in its full version) as an anthem for atheism. It sounds like he's cynically saying that religious people have no more knowledge than those without religion. I love it.