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.
"What's the matter with you, me lass, and where's your dashing Jimmy?"
"Them soldier boys have picked him up and taken him far from me
Last pay-day he went into town and them red-coated fellows,
Enticed him in and made him drunk, and he'd better gone to the gallows.
The very sight of his cockade, it sets us all a-cryin', And me, I nearly fainted twice - I thought that I was dyin'
Me father said he'd pay the smart and he'd run for the Golden Guinea,
But the sergeant swore he'd kissed the book, so now they've got young Jimmy.
When Jimmy talks about the wars, it's worse than death to hear him.
I must go out and hide me tears, because I cannot bear him.
A Brigadier or a Grenadier he says they're sure to make him,
So now he jibes and cracks his jokes and bids me not forsake him.
As I walked o'er yon stubbled field - below where runs the seam,
I think on Jimmy hewing there, but it was all a dream.
He hewed the very coils we burn, so when this fire I'm leetin',
To think the lumps was in his hands - it sets me heart a-beating'.
So break me heart and then it's o'er, oh break me heart, me dearie,
As I lie in this cold, cold bed, of a single life I'm weary."
"Them soldier boys have picked him up and taken him far from me
Last pay-day he went into town and them red-coated fellows,
Enticed him in and made him drunk, and he'd better gone to the gallows.
The very sight of his cockade, it sets us all a-cryin', And me, I nearly fainted twice - I thought that I was dyin'
Me father said he'd pay the smart and he'd run for the Golden Guinea,
But the sergeant swore he'd kissed the book, so now they've got young Jimmy.
When Jimmy talks about the wars, it's worse than death to hear him.
I must go out and hide me tears, because I cannot bear him.
A Brigadier or a Grenadier he says they're sure to make him,
So now he jibes and cracks his jokes and bids me not forsake him.
As I walked o'er yon stubbled field - below where runs the seam,
I think on Jimmy hewing there, but it was all a dream.
He hewed the very coils we burn, so when this fire I'm leetin',
To think the lumps was in his hands - it sets me heart a-beating'.
So break me heart and then it's o'er, oh break me heart, me dearie,
As I lie in this cold, cold bed, of a single life I'm weary."
Lyrics submitted by TheDirge
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In the late 18th Century the British army was made up of regiments who did their own recruiting. The recruiting sergeants would go around the towns of the area getting lads to join by persuasion, trickery. By the time of the American Revolutionary War, pressing was made legal, it already was for the navy. One way of pressing was to arrest men for being drunk. Others were on release from prison. They weren't exactly glad to be so far from home fighting against folks who fighting gladly for their own home. When you you reenact your battles and celebrate Independence think of the poor redcoat lads who had none.