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.
Where have you been?
You are a different man...
You disappeared...
And just like that, you're here.
So did your time, away from here...
Renew your soul... To make you strong...
For your return, I thought you knew...
It feels good, just holding you.
She's gone, I feel...
I think there's something wrong.
Have you seen her?
She's been away too long...
So look around
This dismal place...
Some things have changed...
Or can't you even tell...?
I'm glad you're here.
I see you're well.
And welcome home...
Embrace your hell.
In a town hungry for the lonely...
Lost, innocent child...
Forbidden life taken in a moment...
Life, too late for saving...
...or just in time.
In my mind, places keep returning...
I still see her smile.
And in the dark, fear that I am feeling
Dies once in a while...
And as the moon leads me through the madness...
There, standing alone.
I feel a breath, coming from the shadows...
Streets, almost alive...
I heard a sound (I heard a sound!)
I hear your voice (I hear your voice!)
Why, making a choice? (Why, do you have no choice?)
I need to know...
I need to know...
(You'll never know)
And all these words take me back to my home...
(Is she gone, are you real, are you here?)
Can I trust who you say that you are?
And who I am now... (And who am I now...?)
Too late for me, knowing...
...or just in time.
You are a different man...
You disappeared...
And just like that, you're here.
So did your time, away from here...
Renew your soul... To make you strong...
For your return, I thought you knew...
It feels good, just holding you.
She's gone, I feel...
I think there's something wrong.
Have you seen her?
She's been away too long...
So look around
This dismal place...
Some things have changed...
Or can't you even tell...?
I'm glad you're here.
I see you're well.
And welcome home...
Embrace your hell.
In a town hungry for the lonely...
Lost, innocent child...
Forbidden life taken in a moment...
Life, too late for saving...
...or just in time.
In my mind, places keep returning...
I still see her smile.
And in the dark, fear that I am feeling
Dies once in a while...
And as the moon leads me through the madness...
There, standing alone.
I feel a breath, coming from the shadows...
Streets, almost alive...
I heard a sound (I heard a sound!)
I hear your voice (I hear your voice!)
Why, making a choice? (Why, do you have no choice?)
I need to know...
I need to know...
(You'll never know)
And all these words take me back to my home...
(Is she gone, are you real, are you here?)
Can I trust who you say that you are?
And who I am now... (And who am I now...?)
Too late for me, knowing...
...or just in time.
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I love this song for this soothes my mind. The music by Sir Akira Yamayoka is amazing along Mary McGlynn's magical voice. It just touches your heart yearning for someone beloved :)