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.
Please to bend down for the one called the Greenman
He wants to make you his bride
Please to bend down for the one called the Greenman
Forever to him you're tied
And you know for a million years he has been your lover
He'll be a million more
And you know for a million years he has been your lover
Down through the skin to the core
Heed the Greenman
Heed the Greenman
Please to dance round for the one called the Greenman
He wants to make you his child
Please to dance round for the one called the Greenman
Dressed in the fruits of the wild
And you know for a million years he has been your father
He'll be a million more
And you know for a million years he has been your father
Run to his arms at the door
Lay your head, lay your head, lay your head, lay your head on the Greenman
Lay your head, lay your head with mine
Lay your head, lay your head, lay your head, lay your head on the Greenman
Build a bed out of oak and pine
See the Greenman blow his kiss from high church wall
And unknowing church will amplify his call
He wants to make you his bride
Please to bend down for the one called the Greenman
Forever to him you're tied
And you know for a million years he has been your lover
He'll be a million more
And you know for a million years he has been your lover
Down through the skin to the core
Heed the Greenman
Heed the Greenman
Please to dance round for the one called the Greenman
He wants to make you his child
Please to dance round for the one called the Greenman
Dressed in the fruits of the wild
And you know for a million years he has been your father
He'll be a million more
And you know for a million years he has been your father
Run to his arms at the door
Lay your head, lay your head, lay your head, lay your head on the Greenman
Lay your head, lay your head with mine
Lay your head, lay your head, lay your head, lay your head on the Greenman
Build a bed out of oak and pine
See the Greenman blow his kiss from high church wall
And unknowing church will amplify his call
Lyrics submitted by BlueAndStarry
Greenman Lyrics as written by Andy Partridge
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Well, in addition to the above pointing out that the green man is a male personification of nature, I think people are avoiding the obvious metaphor here. That is we are all tied to nature and, in essence, married to it. Like many a spouse, treat him right and he will reward you with a rich, bountiful harvest and good life. Be nasty and mean to him, and he will show his wrath, just like he's doing globally.