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 further away I get from you
The harder it gets for everyone else, for everyone else
The happier I am when I'm with you
The harder it gets when I am alone, when I am alone
The harder I try to learn something from you
Further away
Further away feel it fade into your childhood further away
Further away feel dazed and misunderstood
Further away
The stiller the oxygen the harder you breathe
The draining away just like an old man's dream
Just like an old man's dream
The simpler the answer the harder it can get
The circular landscape comes back only with regret
Only with regret
The more estranged I feel from my youth further away
Further away feel it fade into your childhood further away
Further away feel dazed and misunderstood
Further away
Further away feel it fade into your childhood further away
Further away feel dazed and misunderstood
Further away
The harder it gets for everyone else, for everyone else
The happier I am when I'm with you
The harder it gets when I am alone, when I am alone
The harder I try to learn something from you
Further away
Further away feel it fade into your childhood further away
Further away feel dazed and misunderstood
Further away
The stiller the oxygen the harder you breathe
The draining away just like an old man's dream
Just like an old man's dream
The simpler the answer the harder it can get
The circular landscape comes back only with regret
Only with regret
The more estranged I feel from my youth further away
Further away feel it fade into your childhood further away
Further away feel dazed and misunderstood
Further away
Further away feel it fade into your childhood further away
Further away feel dazed and misunderstood
Further away
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This a pure, simple love song by Nicky for his wife Rachel, who he hates having to leave to go on tour. He is by far the most domesticated un-rock star there is, bless.