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.
Used to live in the danger zone
Any day it could get too rough
Now I'm glad I kept holding on
Now I'm glad I had soul enough
You turned night into day
And showed me how my soul could sing
You took my hurt away
And showed me love conquers anything
When two hearts both feel the same
There's a way to beat the game
Holding on now I'm standing in the light
Holding on and this time I"ll get it right
Holding on every day and every night
Holding on
Fall asleep in your lover's arms
And it's just like it ought to be
Just be thankful she keeps you warm
In a world where there's nothing free
Give her love every day
And pay attention when she dreams
And she'll be good to you
Cause sometimes love is just what it seems
When two hearts both feel the same
There's a way to beat the game
Holding on now I'm standing in the light
Holding on and this time I'll get it right
Holding on every day and every night
Holding on
See the mountain water keep flowing down
Into streams
Now it holds on forever
We'll be holding on forever
People should searching all night long
For a reason to help them live
And I do hope they hear the song
Get through take and you get to give
It can be in a smile
It can be there in a touch
It warms the world a while
When it's love it can't be too much
Any day it could get too rough
Now I'm glad I kept holding on
Now I'm glad I had soul enough
You turned night into day
And showed me how my soul could sing
You took my hurt away
And showed me love conquers anything
When two hearts both feel the same
There's a way to beat the game
Holding on now I'm standing in the light
Holding on and this time I"ll get it right
Holding on every day and every night
Holding on
Fall asleep in your lover's arms
And it's just like it ought to be
Just be thankful she keeps you warm
In a world where there's nothing free
Give her love every day
And pay attention when she dreams
And she'll be good to you
Cause sometimes love is just what it seems
When two hearts both feel the same
There's a way to beat the game
Holding on now I'm standing in the light
Holding on and this time I'll get it right
Holding on every day and every night
Holding on
See the mountain water keep flowing down
Into streams
Now it holds on forever
We'll be holding on forever
People should searching all night long
For a reason to help them live
And I do hope they hear the song
Get through take and you get to give
It can be in a smile
It can be there in a touch
It warms the world a while
When it's love it can't be too much
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