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.
O Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone and all the roses falling
It's you, it's you must go and I must bide
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
I'll be there in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so
But when ye come and all white flow'rs are crying
If I am dead, as dead I may well be
Ye'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an ave there for me
And I shall hear through soft you tread above 'em
And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be
For you will bend and tell me that you love me
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to meet me
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone and all the roses falling
It's you, it's you must go and I must bide
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
I'll be there in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so
But when ye come and all white flow'rs are crying
If I am dead, as dead I may well be
Ye'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an ave there for me
And I shall hear through soft you tread above 'em
And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be
For you will bend and tell me that you love me
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to meet me
Lyrics submitted by wickedred88
Danny Boy Lyrics as written by Terry Rendall Traditional
Lyrics © ALFRED PUB CO INC, Peermusic Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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My children and ex sang this to my dying father in hospice after he had received the Last Rites for the sixth time. He came back to us and lived another three years. It's a beautiful song, yet very sad. I used to think it was about death. Apparently my father did not agree:)