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.
Finals blew, I barely knew
My graduation speech
And with college out of reach
If I can't find a job it's down to dad
And Myrtle Beach
So, I'm bailing this town-or
Tearing it down-or
Probably more like
Hanging around,
Hanging around
Everyone I know is acting weird
Or way too cool
They hang out by the pool
So I just read a lot and ride my bike
Around the school
'Cause I'm bailing this town-or
Tearing it down-or
Probably more like
Hanging around,
Hanging around
And all that I need now
Is someone with the brains
And the know-how
To tell me what I want,
Anyhow
Twelfth of June, a gibbous moon
Was this the longest day?
I'll walk down to the bay
And jump off of the dock and watch
The summer waste away
Then, I'm bailing this town-or
Tearing it down-or
Probably more like
Hanging around
Hanging around
Just hanging around
So tell me what I want
My graduation speech
And with college out of reach
If I can't find a job it's down to dad
And Myrtle Beach
So, I'm bailing this town-or
Tearing it down-or
Probably more like
Hanging around,
Hanging around
Everyone I know is acting weird
Or way too cool
They hang out by the pool
So I just read a lot and ride my bike
Around the school
'Cause I'm bailing this town-or
Tearing it down-or
Probably more like
Hanging around,
Hanging around
And all that I need now
Is someone with the brains
And the know-how
To tell me what I want,
Anyhow
Twelfth of June, a gibbous moon
Was this the longest day?
I'll walk down to the bay
And jump off of the dock and watch
The summer waste away
Then, I'm bailing this town-or
Tearing it down-or
Probably more like
Hanging around
Hanging around
Just hanging around
So tell me what I want
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!
So funny, I'd never really listened to the words before, but I love that it's based on the graphic novel - both that and the film are amazing!