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.
Like the lantern on a tree
Your burden bright as weary be.
Periwig on parakeet,
You're God's great paramour and sweet.
I'm happy, I'm happy
Your birthday brings a pardoning.
I'm happy, I'm happy
You're like a bird that will not be.
Yours will number, yours will be
A paragon a Paraclete.
Keep your bed warm, keep your humor,
Keep your proverbs short and sweet.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry
That life is anxious, life is mean.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry
A pair of shoes is what you need.
I'm happy, I'm happy
Your birthday brings a pardoning.
I'm happy, I'm happy
You're like a bird that will not be.
Your burden bright as weary be.
Periwig on parakeet,
You're God's great paramour and sweet.
I'm happy, I'm happy
Your birthday brings a pardoning.
I'm happy, I'm happy
You're like a bird that will not be.
Yours will number, yours will be
A paragon a Paraclete.
Keep your bed warm, keep your humor,
Keep your proverbs short and sweet.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry
That life is anxious, life is mean.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry
A pair of shoes is what you need.
I'm happy, I'm happy
Your birthday brings a pardoning.
I'm happy, I'm happy
You're like a bird that will not be.
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A paramour is an illicit lover, correct? Sufjan definitely loves that topic... Mistresses I mean. Kind of annoys me. I think this underlying reason why I could never really get into him.
Not necessarily. A paramour is usually an illicit lover, but it's not a concrete definition.