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.
Let me lie across your crescent spine
Press my belly to the mountainside
Glorious our earthly bodies rise
Fall and rise
The wineskin and my eyes are dry
Though the spirit and truth abide
When you stir throughout the wakeless night
Stir and sigh
Oh
I am a union
Oh
Do-do-do-do-do-do-dooo-do-doo (x2)
Without joy, I left without recourse
I approached the giants who came before us
In a resurrected voice
I can conjure up a soundless void
Baby lay your hand
Where we begin and end
Oh
I am a union
Oh
D-d-d-d-d-d-doo-d-doo (x2)
Press my belly to the mountainside
Glorious our earthly bodies rise
Fall and rise
The wineskin and my eyes are dry
Though the spirit and truth abide
When you stir throughout the wakeless night
Stir and sigh
Oh
I am a union
Oh
Do-do-do-do-do-do-dooo-do-doo (x2)
Without joy, I left without recourse
I approached the giants who came before us
In a resurrected voice
I can conjure up a soundless void
Baby lay your hand
Where we begin and end
Oh
I am a union
Oh
D-d-d-d-d-d-doo-d-doo (x2)
Lyrics submitted by jra004, edited by hannah1101
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It's "let me lie across your crescent spine."
And I think it's "the wine-skin and my eyes are dry."
It's definitely not "I love you" between the "oh"s. It sounds like "I am you knew/new" but that doesn't make much sense. Hard to say.
Also, I'm pretty sure it's "Without joy, AND left without recourse." It makes more sense and sounds more like that.
It's definitely "I can conjure up a soundless VOID" not voice."
Also, I think it's gotta be "We begin AND end" not an. You can't hear the "D," but that's just how people talk. Plus, if he meant to say "an," he would've pronounced it like "un" not "Anne."
To me, it sounds like "I am union" between the "oh"s; you know, like united with the earth. Not really sure, but it's the closest I can come. I think Raving Lunatic is correct on the other lines.
I personally thought it was "I am in you."<br />
I'm quite sure the chorus is "I am a union".