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.
Father drove a steamroller
Momma was a crossing guard.
She got rolled when he got steamed
And I got left in charge
Living in a little town with my pedigree in charge
I chopped down a weakened willow tree
And built this party barge
Ports of call, dayglo bait
Why not see a legend while it's still being made?
Think it's kind of squirrelly when you're sleeping in the park
Jam too far propagating in the night
My colleagues and associates have kicked out all the lights
Like I said they say, nothing stops a party barge
"This is lake directory, calling party barge.
I'm on the phone with pump control, they say you are at large
Send us your coordinates, we'll send a Saint Bernard"
Think it's kind of squirrelly when you're sleeping in the park
Chicken fried pigeon in a sunny jane sauce
Satan's jeweled laughter has your wife in its claws
Like I said they say, nothing stops a party barge
"Send us your coordinates, I'll send a Saint Bernard.
Send us your coordinates, I'll send a Saint Bernard.
Send us your coordinates, I'll send a Saint Bernard.
This is lake directory, calling party barge."
Momma was a crossing guard.
She got rolled when he got steamed
And I got left in charge
Living in a little town with my pedigree in charge
I chopped down a weakened willow tree
And built this party barge
Ports of call, dayglo bait
Why not see a legend while it's still being made?
Think it's kind of squirrelly when you're sleeping in the park
Jam too far propagating in the night
My colleagues and associates have kicked out all the lights
Like I said they say, nothing stops a party barge
"This is lake directory, calling party barge.
I'm on the phone with pump control, they say you are at large
Send us your coordinates, we'll send a Saint Bernard"
Think it's kind of squirrelly when you're sleeping in the park
Chicken fried pigeon in a sunny jane sauce
Satan's jeweled laughter has your wife in its claws
Like I said they say, nothing stops a party barge
"Send us your coordinates, I'll send a Saint Bernard.
Send us your coordinates, I'll send a Saint Bernard.
Send us your coordinates, I'll send a Saint Bernard.
This is lake directory, calling party barge."
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important correction. Should be "weaping willow tree." That is what makes it such a good like. He constructed a "party" barge out of a weaping willow.
I gotta think this song is about him becoming a party barge to block out the pain. Sort of like a Frank the Tank character.
Also, I think it might be "things get kind of squirrelly..."