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.
And with the early dawn moving right along
Couldn't buy an eyeful of sleep
And in the aching night under satellites
I was not received
Built with stolen parts, a telephone in my heart
Someone get me a priest
To put my mind to bed, this ringing in my head
Is this a cure or is this a disease?
Nail in my hand from my creator
You gave me life, now show me how to live
Nail in my hand from my creator
You gave me life, now show me how to live
And in the afterbirth, on the quiet earth
Let the stains remind you
You thought you made a man, you better think again
Before my role defines you
Nail in my hand from my creator
You gave me life, now show me how to live
Nail in my hand from my creator
You gave me life, now show me how to live
And in your waiting hands, I will land
And roll out of my skin
And in your final hours, I will stand
Ready to begin
Ready to begin
Ready to begin
Ready to begin
Nail in my hand from my creator
You gave me life, now show me how to live
Nail in my hand from my creator
You gave me life, now show me how to live
Show me how to live
Show me how to live
Show me how to live
Show me how to live
Couldn't buy an eyeful of sleep
And in the aching night under satellites
I was not received
Built with stolen parts, a telephone in my heart
Someone get me a priest
To put my mind to bed, this ringing in my head
Is this a cure or is this a disease?
Nail in my hand from my creator
You gave me life, now show me how to live
Nail in my hand from my creator
You gave me life, now show me how to live
And in the afterbirth, on the quiet earth
Let the stains remind you
You thought you made a man, you better think again
Before my role defines you
Nail in my hand from my creator
You gave me life, now show me how to live
Nail in my hand from my creator
You gave me life, now show me how to live
And in your waiting hands, I will land
And roll out of my skin
And in your final hours, I will stand
Ready to begin
Ready to begin
Ready to begin
Ready to begin
Nail in my hand from my creator
You gave me life, now show me how to live
Nail in my hand from my creator
You gave me life, now show me how to live
Show me how to live
Show me how to live
Show me how to live
Show me how to live
Lyrics submitted by ruben, edited by Razgreez, Snowdog2112Rob, Grim_Poet
Show Me How to Live Lyrics as written by Chris Cornell Brad Wilk
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Classic song,like most Audioslave songs it is a deep as you want it to be,but it sure is a great song.