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.
Sometimes I look up high
And then I think there might,
Just be a better life
Away from all we know
That's where I wanna go
Out on the wild side,
And I wish I was
Oh oh oh oh, a wild west hero.
Ride the range all the day
Till the first fading light
Be with my western girl
Round the fire oh so bright
I'd be the indians' friend
Let them love to be free
Ridin' into the sunset
I wish I could be.
I'd ride the desert sands
And through the prairie lands
Tryin' to do what's right
The folks would come to me
They'd say we need you here
I'd stay there for the night,
Oh I wish I was
Oh oh oh oh, a wild west hero
Ride the range all the day
Till the first fading light
Be with my western girl
Round the fire oh so bright
I'd be the indians' friend
Let them love to be free
Ridin' into the sunset
I wish I could be.
And then I think there might,
Just be a better life
Away from all we know
That's where I wanna go
Out on the wild side,
And I wish I was
Oh oh oh oh, a wild west hero.
Ride the range all the day
Till the first fading light
Be with my western girl
Round the fire oh so bright
I'd be the indians' friend
Let them love to be free
Ridin' into the sunset
I wish I could be.
I'd ride the desert sands
And through the prairie lands
Tryin' to do what's right
The folks would come to me
They'd say we need you here
I'd stay there for the night,
Oh I wish I was
Oh oh oh oh, a wild west hero
Ride the range all the day
Till the first fading light
Be with my western girl
Round the fire oh so bright
I'd be the indians' friend
Let them love to be free
Ridin' into the sunset
I wish I could be.
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i wish i was..
oh oooOOOOOOOoohh, a wiiiiiiiIIIIIiilld weeeest, heeeEEEEEEeeroooo...