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, did you think that I was kidding?
Oh, did you think that I was?
Oh, too late, too late...
Aw, too late motherfucker!
Must remember to keep both feet on the ground
Everything in my life is turning round
Then... we're the only ones
We're gods, not demons
Zen
Zen
Zen...on the way I'm feeling
Zen...on the way we're feeling
On we go...we're waiting now...
Are you looking at me?
... Why do you keep looking at me?
... Am I not merciful?
Yes! we're the only ones
We're gods and demons
Zen
Zen
Zen... on the way I'm feeling
Zen... on the way we're feeling
Zen... on the way I'm feeling
Zen... on the way we're feeling
Connect now and emerge.
Oh, did you think that I was?
Oh, too late, too late...
Aw, too late motherfucker!
Must remember to keep both feet on the ground
Everything in my life is turning round
Then... we're the only ones
We're gods, not demons
Zen
Zen
Zen...on the way I'm feeling
Zen...on the way we're feeling
On we go...we're waiting now...
Are you looking at me?
... Why do you keep looking at me?
... Am I not merciful?
Yes! we're the only ones
We're gods and demons
Zen
Zen
Zen... on the way I'm feeling
Zen... on the way we're feeling
Zen... on the way I'm feeling
Zen... on the way we're feeling
Connect now and emerge.
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
The meaning is very straight forward in my honest opinion. It's him finding peace with the things expressed through out the album and having learned to find a state of zen in the way things are and just excepting it. Remembering not to lose your cool and go insane or into an alien place which could drive a person crazy.
Just my personal thoughts on the song.
Wow when typing out expected and erasing to put accepted I spelled it wrong. :/