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 key in the door, a step on the floor,
A note on the table, and a meal in the micro
note says I'm in bed, please make sure that you're fed
If you're taking a shower, you can borrow my bathrobe
And when I'm asleep I dream you move in next week
I crumple the note and save it to put inside
My shoe box (shoe box)
My shoe box of lies
It's under my bed, it's never been read
It's in with my school stuff and my mom never cleans there
From my first little fib, when I still wore a bib
To my latest attempt at pretending I'm someone
Who's not seventeen, and doesn't know what you mean
When talk turns to single malts, or stilton, or
My shoe box (shoe box)
My shoe box of lies
My shoe box (shoe box)
Shoe box of lies
Did somebody tell you
This is how it's supposed to be?
Or did you just find it
And you don't want any more from me?
Was it something I said, or was it something you read
That's making me think that I should never have come here
I can offer you lies, I can tell you goodbye,
I can tell you I'm sorry, but I can't tell the truth, dear
And what if I could? Would it do any good?
You'll still never get to see the contents of
My shoe box (shoe box)
Shoe box of lies
My shoe box (shoe box)
My shoe box of lies
You're so nineteen-ninety
And it's nineteen-ninety-four
Leave this world behind me
'Cause you don't want me anymore
Lie
Lie
Lie
Lie
Lie
Lie
Lie
Lie
Lie
Lie
Lie
A note on the table, and a meal in the micro
note says I'm in bed, please make sure that you're fed
If you're taking a shower, you can borrow my bathrobe
And when I'm asleep I dream you move in next week
I crumple the note and save it to put inside
My shoe box (shoe box)
My shoe box of lies
It's under my bed, it's never been read
It's in with my school stuff and my mom never cleans there
From my first little fib, when I still wore a bib
To my latest attempt at pretending I'm someone
Who's not seventeen, and doesn't know what you mean
When talk turns to single malts, or stilton, or
My shoe box (shoe box)
My shoe box of lies
My shoe box (shoe box)
Shoe box of lies
Did somebody tell you
This is how it's supposed to be?
Or did you just find it
And you don't want any more from me?
Was it something I said, or was it something you read
That's making me think that I should never have come here
I can offer you lies, I can tell you goodbye,
I can tell you I'm sorry, but I can't tell the truth, dear
And what if I could? Would it do any good?
You'll still never get to see the contents of
My shoe box (shoe box)
Shoe box of lies
My shoe box (shoe box)
My shoe box of lies
You're so nineteen-ninety
And it's nineteen-ninety-four
Leave this world behind me
'Cause you don't want me anymore
Lie
Lie
Lie
Lie
Lie
Lie
Lie
Lie
Lie
Lie
Lie
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