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 no, why can't you get along?
Ok I know it's not my place
I've got to say something
I've got to say something
I've got speak
She'll never leave
And you can never throw her out
Impossible to conceive
You'd rather be with than without
That's just the fear talking
That just the fear talking
That's just the fear
Don't let it take you
Like it nearly took me, fear
Don't let it fool you
Like it nearly fooled me, fear
Remember the good old days
But love is like a dragonfly
So beautiful, it will die
And disappear before your eyes
I'm no philosopher
I am no poet
I'm just trying to help you out
Don't let it fool you
Like it nearly fooled me, fear
Don't let it take you
Like it nearly took me
And so you sit and wait
For another man to take your place
And when, when he comes
Would you welcome him with open arms?
You'll feel a hundred years younger
You'll feel a hundred years younger
You'll fee no fear
Don't let it take you
Like it nearly took me, fear
Don't let it fool you
Like it nearly fooled me, fear
Don't kill you
Like it nearly killed me, fear
Ok I know it's not my place
I've got to say something
I've got to say something
I've got speak
She'll never leave
And you can never throw her out
Impossible to conceive
You'd rather be with than without
That's just the fear talking
That just the fear talking
That's just the fear
Don't let it take you
Like it nearly took me, fear
Don't let it fool you
Like it nearly fooled me, fear
Remember the good old days
But love is like a dragonfly
So beautiful, it will die
And disappear before your eyes
I'm no philosopher
I am no poet
I'm just trying to help you out
Don't let it fool you
Like it nearly fooled me, fear
Don't let it take you
Like it nearly took me
And so you sit and wait
For another man to take your place
And when, when he comes
Would you welcome him with open arms?
You'll feel a hundred years younger
You'll feel a hundred years younger
You'll fee no fear
Don't let it take you
Like it nearly took me, fear
Don't let it fool you
Like it nearly fooled me, fear
Don't kill you
Like it nearly killed me, fear
Lyrics submitted by littleRoom
Hamoa Beach Lyrics as written by Ian Thomas Ball Benjamin Joseph Ottewell
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Haha I love Ian!
Anyway, following on from that thought, I always thought this song was about a breakup due to infertility. Cheerful, I know, but "Impossible to conceive/You'd rather be with than without" made me think about how all-consuming trying to have a baby can be, sometimes at the cost of your relationships. If that's what the song is about, it's not particularly subtle - I never was one for seeing the deeper meaning in things...
Makes sense to me. And it's something a man and woman must give serious thought to prior to entering into a relationship. Something like that is a deal breaker. People who want children should make sure they date those who want children. Also think the song is about fear and how it can become a cage if not recognized and dealt with...
Yeah, a face-to-face conversation of sorts sounds like a good idea to me too.
I think that the "impossible to conceive" is more related to conceiving (or giving birth to) the idea of living without the other person rather than literally conception.