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.
Do I, do I
Belong to the night?
Only, only
Only tonight
All the ladies
Stay inside
Time may freeze
A world could cry
All this night running loud
I hear the whispers and I hear the shouts
And though they never cry for help
Tell me who sends these
Infamous gifts
To make such a promise
And make such a slip
Oh no
Can't pull a trick
Never the rose
Without the prick
Oh, but tell me, how do I say?
I woke up and it's yesterday
Do I again face this night?
Guiding light, guiding light
Guiding through these nights
Darling, darling
Do we part like the seas?
The roaring shells
The drifting of the leaves
But all intent
Remains unknown
It's time to sit up
Sit up in the throne
It's seen before but it's always new
So look close and see who's come through
Never again to face this night
Guiding light, guiding light
Guiding through these nights
Belong to the night?
Only, only
Only tonight
All the ladies
Stay inside
Time may freeze
A world could cry
All this night running loud
I hear the whispers and I hear the shouts
And though they never cry for help
Tell me who sends these
Infamous gifts
To make such a promise
And make such a slip
Oh no
Can't pull a trick
Never the rose
Without the prick
Oh, but tell me, how do I say?
I woke up and it's yesterday
Do I again face this night?
Guiding light, guiding light
Guiding through these nights
Darling, darling
Do we part like the seas?
The roaring shells
The drifting of the leaves
But all intent
Remains unknown
It's time to sit up
Sit up in the throne
It's seen before but it's always new
So look close and see who's come through
Never again to face this night
Guiding light, guiding light
Guiding through these nights
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Brillaint Song! Is Marquee Moon the greatest Album ever? I love how the bridge builds you up, just to be let down by a delicate, low-key chorus of "Guiding Light" Top Notch stuff!