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 made my slow way home
Limping on broken bones
Out of the thickest pine
Across the county lines
On to your wooden stairs
I know you can repair
I know you've seen the light
I know you'll get me right
Right
Right
Right
I own a sinner's heart
I know the rain falls hard
I know the currency
I know the things you'll need
I hope he hears my prayers
I see you cut your hair
I know the saving type
I know you'll get me right
Right
Right
Right
But, Jesus I've fallen
I don't mind the rain if
I meet my maker
I'll meet my maker clean
But, Jesus the truth is
I've struggled so hard to believe
I'll meet my maker
I'll need my maker
To cure of my doubting blood
And drain me of the sins I love
And take from me my disbelief
I know it should come easily
But it remains inside of me
It battles and devours me
It cuddles up the side of me
And whispers it convinces me I'm
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Limping on broken bones
Out of the thickest pine
Across the county lines
On to your wooden stairs
I know you can repair
I know you've seen the light
I know you'll get me right
Right
Right
Right
I own a sinner's heart
I know the rain falls hard
I know the currency
I know the things you'll need
I hope he hears my prayers
I see you cut your hair
I know the saving type
I know you'll get me right
Right
Right
Right
But, Jesus I've fallen
I don't mind the rain if
I meet my maker
I'll meet my maker clean
But, Jesus the truth is
I've struggled so hard to believe
I'll meet my maker
I'll need my maker
To cure of my doubting blood
And drain me of the sins I love
And take from me my disbelief
I know it should come easily
But it remains inside of me
It battles and devours me
It cuddles up the side of me
And whispers it convinces me I'm
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Right
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
You're all so wrong in what this song really means. Chris is obviously struggling to believe in Jesus, and although things get tough for him, he realizes that they are mundane and not spiritual. As unaccepted and morally wrong he feels about not believing, he feels he needs a tangible reason - something more than philosophy to be able to believe. Because he's never found that, he begs for "God" to reveal himself. As much as he wants to drain himself from doubt, he knows, in the end, he's right for being a nonbeliever, because spiritualism doesn't click for him. He wants for God to take his "disbelief", but it "remains inside of" him, and eventually "convinces" him he's right.
No way. The lyrics point to him believing. He just is having the usual doubts any man/woman has when it comes to faith. He's been tested and he's begging God to show himself more clearly so he will have no doubt. I don't read anything non-spiritual into the lyrics; he sounds like a typical fallible Christian. If he didn't believe, he wouldn't be working so hard to get God to give him a sign, so to speak.
Yes way.
THANK you! I can't believe everyone else is having such a hard time understanding this! It's so simple and obvious. People look too deeply into lyrics sometimes...
That's an interesting take, however, in all probability, incorrect. Disbelief and doubt are a huge part of anyone who puts their faith in Christ. Chris is no exception. Doubt doesn't disappear the day you accept the truth - it remains within and will continue to battle you until the day you see Christ face to face.