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.
There's a crack up in the ceiling
And the kitchen sink is leaking
Out of work and got no money
A Sunday joint of bread and honey
What are we living for?
Two-roomed apartment on the second floor
No money coming in
The rent collector's knocking, trying to get in
We are strictly second class, we don't understand
(Dead end!)
Why we should be on dead end street
(Dead end!)
People are living on dead end street
(Dead end!)
I'm gonna die on dead end street
Dead end street (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
On a cold and frosty morning
Wipe my eyes and stop me yawning
And my feet are nearly frozen
Boil the tea and put some toast on
What are we living for?
Two-roomed apartment on the second floor
No chance to emigrate
I'm deep in debt and now it's much too late
We both want to work so hard
We can't get the chance
(Dead end!)
People live on dead end street
(Dead end!)
People are dying on dead end street
(Dead end!)
Gonna die on dead end street
Dead end street (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
(Dead end!)
People live on dead end street
(Dead end!)
People are dying on dead end street
(Dead end!)
Gonna die on dead end street
Dead end street (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
Head to my feet (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
How's it feel? (yeah)
How's it feel? (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
And the kitchen sink is leaking
Out of work and got no money
A Sunday joint of bread and honey
What are we living for?
Two-roomed apartment on the second floor
No money coming in
The rent collector's knocking, trying to get in
We are strictly second class, we don't understand
(Dead end!)
Why we should be on dead end street
(Dead end!)
People are living on dead end street
(Dead end!)
I'm gonna die on dead end street
Dead end street (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
On a cold and frosty morning
Wipe my eyes and stop me yawning
And my feet are nearly frozen
Boil the tea and put some toast on
What are we living for?
Two-roomed apartment on the second floor
No chance to emigrate
I'm deep in debt and now it's much too late
We both want to work so hard
We can't get the chance
(Dead end!)
People live on dead end street
(Dead end!)
People are dying on dead end street
(Dead end!)
Gonna die on dead end street
Dead end street (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
(Dead end!)
People live on dead end street
(Dead end!)
People are dying on dead end street
(Dead end!)
Gonna die on dead end street
Dead end street (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
Head to my feet (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
How's it feel? (yeah)
How's it feel? (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
Dead end street (yeah)
Lyrics submitted by planetearth
Dead End Street [Bonus Track] Lyrics as written by Raymond Douglas Davies
Lyrics © Abkco Music Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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