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.
Oh, Mr. Galo, what a good friend
He's always been a name (?)
Oh, Mr. Galo, what a good friend
Close by behind (?)
Oh, Chan, what a woman you've become
Can't say I'd ever thought that he'd look you in the eyes
Oh, and what a lover you've become
Can't say that I always thought you were a liar
Oh, you say
What a laugh you had
I cannot say I ever thought I would have had
Anything funny
Oh, and what a charmer you've become Mr. Galo (?)
Not full of hate
He's always been a name (?)
Oh, Mr. Galo, what a good friend
Close by behind (?)
Oh, Chan, what a woman you've become
Can't say I'd ever thought that he'd look you in the eyes
Oh, and what a lover you've become
Can't say that I always thought you were a liar
Oh, you say
What a laugh you had
I cannot say I ever thought I would have had
Anything funny
Oh, and what a charmer you've become Mr. Galo (?)
Not full of hate
Lyrics submitted by MarsTheStrange
Mr. Gallo Lyrics as written by Chan Marshall
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
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Gallo gallo. I want to be his rebound.