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.
To Thomas S.Eiselberg, a very rich man, who was wise
Enough to spend all his fortunes in burying himself
Many miles beneath the ground. as the only surviving
Member of the human race, he inherited the whole world.
Stagnation
Here today the red sky tells his tale,
But the only listening eyes are mine
There is peace amongst the hills,
And the night will cover all my pride.
Blest are they who smile from bodies free,
Seems to me like any other crowd
Who are waiting to be saved.
Wait, there is still time for washing in the pool,
Wash away the past
Moon, my long-lost friend is smiling from above,
Smiling at my tears.
Come we'll walk the path to take us to my home,
Keep outside the night.
The ice-cold knife has come to decorate the dead,
Somehow
And each will find a home,
And there will still be time,
For loving my friend
You are there
And will I wait for ever, beside the silent mirror
And fish for bitter minnows amongst the weeds
And slimy water.
I want to sit down.
I want to take a drink of water
I want a drink
I want a drink.
To take all the dust and the dirt from my throat.
I want a drink.
I want a drink.
To wash out the filth that is deep in my guts.
I want a drink.
Then let us drink
Then let us smile
Then let us go
Enough to spend all his fortunes in burying himself
Many miles beneath the ground. as the only surviving
Member of the human race, he inherited the whole world.
Stagnation
Here today the red sky tells his tale,
But the only listening eyes are mine
There is peace amongst the hills,
And the night will cover all my pride.
Blest are they who smile from bodies free,
Seems to me like any other crowd
Who are waiting to be saved.
Wait, there is still time for washing in the pool,
Wash away the past
Moon, my long-lost friend is smiling from above,
Smiling at my tears.
Come we'll walk the path to take us to my home,
Keep outside the night.
The ice-cold knife has come to decorate the dead,
Somehow
And each will find a home,
And there will still be time,
For loving my friend
You are there
And will I wait for ever, beside the silent mirror
And fish for bitter minnows amongst the weeds
And slimy water.
I want to sit down.
I want to take a drink of water
I want a drink
I want a drink.
To take all the dust and the dirt from my throat.
I want a drink.
I want a drink.
To wash out the filth that is deep in my guts.
I want a drink.
Then let us drink
Then let us smile
Then let us go
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae
Stagnation Lyrics as written by Peter Brian Gabriel Tony Banks
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Its pretty obvious that its about Gollum, precious!