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.
Jesus, Jesus
Could you tell me what the problem is
With the world and all the people in it?
Because I've been hearing stories about
The end of the world
But I'm in love with a girl
And I don't wanna leave her
And the television screams
Such hideous things
They're talking about the war on the radio
They say the whole thing's gonna blow
And we will all be left alone
No we'll be dead and we
Won't know what hit us
Jesus, Jesus
If you're up there won't you hear me
'Cause I've been wondering if you're
Listening for quite a while
And Jesus, Jesus
It's such a pretty place we live in
And I know we fucked it up, please be kind
Don't let us go out like the dinosaurs
Or blown to bit's in a third world war
There are a hundred different things
I'd still like to do
I'd like to climb to the
Top of the Eiffel Tower
Look up from the ground at a meteor shower
And maybe even raise a family
Jesus, Jesus
There are those that say they love you
But they have treated me so goddamn mean
And I know you said, "Forgive them
For they know not what they do"
But sometimes I think they do
And I think about you
If all the heathens burn in hell
Do all their children burn as well?
What about the Muslims and the
Gays and the unwed mothers?
What about me and all my friends?
Are we all sinners if we sin?
Does it even matter in the
End if we're unhappy?
Jesus, Jesus, I'm still looking for answers
Though I know that I won't
Find them here tonight but Jesus, Jesus
Could you call me if you have the time?
And maybe we could meet for
Coffee and work it out
And maybe then I'll understand
What it's all about
Could you tell me what the problem is
With the world and all the people in it?
Because I've been hearing stories about
The end of the world
But I'm in love with a girl
And I don't wanna leave her
And the television screams
Such hideous things
They're talking about the war on the radio
They say the whole thing's gonna blow
And we will all be left alone
No we'll be dead and we
Won't know what hit us
Jesus, Jesus
If you're up there won't you hear me
'Cause I've been wondering if you're
Listening for quite a while
And Jesus, Jesus
It's such a pretty place we live in
And I know we fucked it up, please be kind
Don't let us go out like the dinosaurs
Or blown to bit's in a third world war
There are a hundred different things
I'd still like to do
I'd like to climb to the
Top of the Eiffel Tower
Look up from the ground at a meteor shower
And maybe even raise a family
Jesus, Jesus
There are those that say they love you
But they have treated me so goddamn mean
And I know you said, "Forgive them
For they know not what they do"
But sometimes I think they do
And I think about you
If all the heathens burn in hell
Do all their children burn as well?
What about the Muslims and the
Gays and the unwed mothers?
What about me and all my friends?
Are we all sinners if we sin?
Does it even matter in the
End if we're unhappy?
Jesus, Jesus, I'm still looking for answers
Though I know that I won't
Find them here tonight but Jesus, Jesus
Could you call me if you have the time?
And maybe we could meet for
Coffee and work it out
And maybe then I'll understand
What it's all about
Lyrics submitted by ninefiftysix
Jesus, Jesus Lyrics as written by Noah Gundersen
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Great, deep song by Noah Gunderson. I feel for him. He's on unsteady ground trying to make sense of it all. I've certainly been there as well.
The lines "Jesus, Jesus, there are those that say they love you/But they have treated me so damn mean" are key to this song. I've certainly felt that at times. I only became a believer in Jesus Christ a few years ago (after over 30 yrs of non-belief). One thing I can say with great assurance at this point: don't let your beliefs be dictated by other people. Christians or non-Christians - all human beings are broken and will let you down. JC is the only one without sin. The rest of us, each one of us, are wretched sinners. The Bible tells us so. BUT the thing about Christianity, unlike every other religion (and contrary to what 99% of everyone automatically assumes about Christianity), salvation comes not from our actions (how 'good' or how 'bad' we are) but rather purely from faith (i.e. belief in JC as the Son of God). ["If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God the Father raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10-9-10] He bought our sins with his blood. That's a price we could never pay ourselves b/c we are all indeed sinners.
Love this song. Noah is a seriously talented, thoughtful, and tenderhearted person.
@Rickvee well put ????????????????