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.
Don't tell me that this is your last chance to change
'Cause if you do, then you would be telling a lie but
I warned you, what could happen if you should decide
To live your life from nine to five
And I mourn you for the detail that is left unsaid
Is a reminder of the time you bled
Return to days when you knew
You still you felt alive
Reveal the way you felt
When you could look inside
They sold you everything you need to fix you up
And you feel good now but you can't wake up
They found a way to reassure you
(That everything would be okay)
Reach out today now I implore you to remember who you are
Return to days when you knew
You still you felt alive
Reveal the way you felt
When you could look inside
So you felt it but you don't know
Why you can't explain at all?
Why you felt it? 'Cause you don't know
No, you don't know
Break the walls between building atrophy
Causing all your problems to recede
Break the walls between
(Break the walls between)
Causing all your pain
(Causing all your pain)
You'll never learn
Return to days when you knew
You still felt alive
Reveal the way you felt
When you could look inside
Take back the beat in your heart
Why fight when you can't be bought
Take back the beat in your heart
Why fight when you can't be bought
Take back the beat in your heart
Why fight when you can't be bought
Take back the beat in your heart
Why fight when you can't be bought
'Cause if you do, then you would be telling a lie but
I warned you, what could happen if you should decide
To live your life from nine to five
And I mourn you for the detail that is left unsaid
Is a reminder of the time you bled
Return to days when you knew
You still you felt alive
Reveal the way you felt
When you could look inside
They sold you everything you need to fix you up
And you feel good now but you can't wake up
They found a way to reassure you
(That everything would be okay)
Reach out today now I implore you to remember who you are
Return to days when you knew
You still you felt alive
Reveal the way you felt
When you could look inside
So you felt it but you don't know
Why you can't explain at all?
Why you felt it? 'Cause you don't know
No, you don't know
Break the walls between building atrophy
Causing all your problems to recede
Break the walls between
(Break the walls between)
Causing all your pain
(Causing all your pain)
You'll never learn
Return to days when you knew
You still felt alive
Reveal the way you felt
When you could look inside
Take back the beat in your heart
Why fight when you can't be bought
Take back the beat in your heart
Why fight when you can't be bought
Take back the beat in your heart
Why fight when you can't be bought
Take back the beat in your heart
Why fight when you can't be bought
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