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.
Jane sends her hand and then pulled it away
She said, "Here's the alternate proof that I love you"
Two magic children that smile at your name
A body that pulls like a pack mule to meet you
Tell me, dear Robert, what turns you to town
Turns you to empty your place at the table?
You prefer faces, you don't owe a thing
You prefer feeling you perform a favor
By kissing my cheek after brushing your teeth
Boots on your feet as you sleep through the morning
Loving your children the most as you leave
Pacing your walk like a sacrifice burning
I see you smolder and fade down the road
With smoke in the kitchen, my breath on the windowpane
Show me some victory that I can achieve
A gentle communion reminds me of yesterday
Downtown at work, or wherever you go
Does holiness grow with the distance created?
My marriage was not to a martyr in flames
And martyrs don't light up so loved ones will love them
Robert stepped back and he buttoned his shirt
The mirror revealed every stain he was hiding
Jane cleared her throat, changed her posture and said
"I miss you so much that I feel like I'm dying"
She said, "Here's the alternate proof that I love you"
Two magic children that smile at your name
A body that pulls like a pack mule to meet you
Tell me, dear Robert, what turns you to town
Turns you to empty your place at the table?
You prefer faces, you don't owe a thing
You prefer feeling you perform a favor
By kissing my cheek after brushing your teeth
Boots on your feet as you sleep through the morning
Loving your children the most as you leave
Pacing your walk like a sacrifice burning
I see you smolder and fade down the road
With smoke in the kitchen, my breath on the windowpane
Show me some victory that I can achieve
A gentle communion reminds me of yesterday
Downtown at work, or wherever you go
Does holiness grow with the distance created?
My marriage was not to a martyr in flames
And martyrs don't light up so loved ones will love them
Robert stepped back and he buttoned his shirt
The mirror revealed every stain he was hiding
Jane cleared her throat, changed her posture and said
"I miss you so much that I feel like I'm dying"
Lyrics submitted by Sussex, edited by sebastianbo, Pufer
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This song slays me to no end.
That last line is a real gutter.