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.
On a cool dark night someone's coming down the street
With a smoking gun and a smile on his face
For all to see, the rest is history
But no one knows what's on his mind
Except him and his monkey, come on
When the big man fell with a secret on his lips
So close, so close
'Til the bullet gave his kiss
The world cried out loud, the rest is history
And no one knows what's on his mind
Except him and his monkey come on
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to believe that there's something more to see
There's a man at the desk who is talking real soft
To a half dozen guys but not a word is lost
The men depart they all know what to do
With a rifle aiming through a clearing in a bush
So close, so close, but no one thinks to look
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to believe that there's something more to see
Than a big bunch of flowers in a cemetery
So why hold out, come on and give your testimony
On a phone connection on the other side of town
Sits a man with a pencil who doesn't make a sound
He nods his head, the rest is history
But no one knows what's on his mind
Except him and his monkey come on, come on
When the big man fell with a secret on his lips
So close, so close
'Til the bullet gave his kiss
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to believe that there's something more to see
Than a big bunch of flowers in a cemetery
So why hold out, come on and give your testimony
On a cool dark night someone's coming down the street
With a smoking gun and a smile on his face
For all to see, the rest is history
But no one knows what's on his mind
Except him and his monkey, come on
When the big man fell with a secret on his lips
So close, so close
'Til the bullet gave his kiss
The world cried out loud, the rest is history
And no one knows what's on his mind
Except him and his monkey come on
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to believe that there's something more to see
There's a man at the desk who is talking real soft
To a half dozen guys but not a word is lost
The men depart they all know what to do
With a rifle aiming through a clearing in a bush
So close, so close, but no one thinks to look
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to believe that there's something more to see
Than a big bunch of flowers in a cemetery
So why hold out, come on and give your testimony
On a phone connection on the other side of town
Sits a man with a pencil who doesn't make a sound
He nods his head, the rest is history
But no one knows what's on his mind
Except him and his monkey come on, come on
When the big man fell with a secret on his lips
So close, so close
'Til the bullet gave his kiss
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to know
You've got a right to believe that there's something more to see
Than a big bunch of flowers in a cemetery
So why hold out, come on and give your testimony
On a cool dark night someone's coming down the street
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This song is about the Kennedy assassination and things done by governments behind veils of secrecy in general.