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.
Circle of hands
Cold spirits plan
Searching my land
For an enemy
Came across
Love's sweet cost
And in the face of beauty
Evil was lost
Sky full of eyes
Minds full of lies
Black from their cold hearts
Down to their graves
Murdered the dawn
Spreading their scorn
Cursing the sun
Of which love was born
We must keep them away
Or pretty soon we'll pay
And count the cost in sorrow
Sacrifice, the future has it's price
And today is only
Yesterday's tomorrow
Tomorrow
Cold spirits plan
Searching my land
For an enemy
Came across
Love's sweet cost
And in the face of beauty
Evil was lost
Sky full of eyes
Minds full of lies
Black from their cold hearts
Down to their graves
Murdered the dawn
Spreading their scorn
Cursing the sun
Of which love was born
We must keep them away
Or pretty soon we'll pay
And count the cost in sorrow
Sacrifice, the future has it's price
And today is only
Yesterday's tomorrow
Tomorrow
Lyrics submitted by RainbowDemon
Circle of Hands Lyrics as written by Ken Hensley
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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A really wonderful song! I think it tells a story. It's something like a part of the whole story that Uriah Heep's songs tell. One can certainly think about his own life while listening to it, and consider if he is keeping these lies away. I especially like this phrase: "Today is only yesterday's tomorrow"... Man, someone can write a book on these words!