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.
I never wanna be old
And I don't want dependence
It's no fun to be told
That you can't blame your parents anymore
I'm finding it hard
To hang from a star
I don't wanna be
Never wanna be old
Sullen and bored the kids stay
And in this way, I wish away each day
Stoned in the mall the kids play
And in this way, I wish away each day
I don't really know
If I care what is normal
And I'm not really sure
If the pills I've been taking are helping
I'm wasting my life
Hurting inside
I don't really know
And I'm not really sure
Sullen and bored the kids stay
And in this way, I wish away each day
Stoned in the mall the kids play
And in this way, I wish away each day
Sullen and bored the kids stay
And in this way, I wish away each day
Stoned in the mall the kids play
And in this way, I wish away each day
Sullen and bored the kids stay
And in this way, I wish away each day
Stoned in the mall the kids play
And in this way, I wish away each day
And I don't want dependence
It's no fun to be told
That you can't blame your parents anymore
I'm finding it hard
To hang from a star
I don't wanna be
Never wanna be old
Sullen and bored the kids stay
And in this way, I wish away each day
Stoned in the mall the kids play
And in this way, I wish away each day
I don't really know
If I care what is normal
And I'm not really sure
If the pills I've been taking are helping
I'm wasting my life
Hurting inside
I don't really know
And I'm not really sure
Sullen and bored the kids stay
And in this way, I wish away each day
Stoned in the mall the kids play
And in this way, I wish away each day
Sullen and bored the kids stay
And in this way, I wish away each day
Stoned in the mall the kids play
And in this way, I wish away each day
Sullen and bored the kids stay
And in this way, I wish away each day
Stoned in the mall the kids play
And in this way, I wish away each day
Lyrics submitted by christsizeshoes, edited by Octavarium64, PaulZero
Sentimental Lyrics as written by Steven John Wilson
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Sentimental is the kid realising he's now getting old, and doesn't want to. But in Normal, he realises he's still young and doesn't want to be there, but longs to be old, to look back on when he's young. "Wish I was old and a little sentimental". Something like that anyway.