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.
Winded is the sailor drifting by the storm
Wounded is the organ he left all bloodied on the shore
Gorgeous was his savior, sees her drowning in his wake
A daily taste the salt of her tears but a chance blamed fate
Little secrets, tremors, turned to quake
The smallest oceans still get big big waves
Ransom paid the Devil
He whispers pleasing words
Triumphant are the angels if they can a get there first
Little secrets, tremors, turned to quake
The smallest oceans still get big big waves
I'll decide
Take the dive
Take my time
Not my life
Wait for signs
Believe in lies
To get by
It's divine, oh whoa
Oh, you know what it's like
Turns the bow back, tows and drops the line
Puts his faith and love in tremor Christ
Wounded is the organ he left all bloodied on the shore
Gorgeous was his savior, sees her drowning in his wake
A daily taste the salt of her tears but a chance blamed fate
Little secrets, tremors, turned to quake
The smallest oceans still get big big waves
Ransom paid the Devil
He whispers pleasing words
Triumphant are the angels if they can a get there first
Little secrets, tremors, turned to quake
The smallest oceans still get big big waves
I'll decide
Take the dive
Take my time
Not my life
Wait for signs
Believe in lies
To get by
It's divine, oh whoa
Oh, you know what it's like
Turns the bow back, tows and drops the line
Puts his faith and love in tremor Christ
Lyrics submitted by Ark, edited by orangebeaker, mrsel9
Tremor Christ Lyrics as written by Eddie Vedder David Abbruzzese
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I agree with seba I agree this song is about deciding between right and wrong, or good versus evil. Do you listen to the devil on your one shouder or the angel on your other shoulder. Also dealing with the impact of which ever decision you choose to make.