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.
Baby wants a new spin
Baby wants a broken heart
Hear you found a linchpin to keep it all from falling apart
But you keep on rollin'
You keep on rollin'
Better find a way
Better kick it from your big, brown eyes
Hear it tightens up when you fall after fifty tries
Like a ship at ocean
Like a ship at ocean
Like a ship at ocean
Like a ship at sea
You spit thick and you cross your heart
But the culvert's all run dry
From keeping shotgun shy, all arise
Just be mine tonight
So the dollar shot shoppers broke the law and they knocked you down
Better call the coppers if you need someone to push you around
But you keep on stealin'
You keep on stealin'
Yes, you keep on stealin'
Well, there's nothing left to steal
You spit thick and you cross your heart
But the culvert's all run dry
From keeping shotgun shy, all arise
Just be mine tonight
Just be mine tonight
Just be mine tonight
Baby wants a broken heart
Hear you found a linchpin to keep it all from falling apart
But you keep on rollin'
You keep on rollin'
Better find a way
Better kick it from your big, brown eyes
Hear it tightens up when you fall after fifty tries
Like a ship at ocean
Like a ship at ocean
Like a ship at ocean
Like a ship at sea
You spit thick and you cross your heart
But the culvert's all run dry
From keeping shotgun shy, all arise
Just be mine tonight
So the dollar shot shoppers broke the law and they knocked you down
Better call the coppers if you need someone to push you around
But you keep on stealin'
You keep on stealin'
Yes, you keep on stealin'
Well, there's nothing left to steal
You spit thick and you cross your heart
But the culvert's all run dry
From keeping shotgun shy, all arise
Just be mine tonight
Just be mine tonight
Just be mine tonight
Lyrics submitted by MarcelLionheart
All Arise! Lyrics as written by Colin Meloy
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Dude, this song has got to be about masturbation. "Here it tightens up when you fall on the fifteenth try" and "All arise! I'll just be mine tonight". Hate on this all you want; I think it's about time the Decemberists wrote a song like this. xD
Oh wow, I had never even considered that this song might be about masturbation. Welp, it's about time Collin got around to this, I think! He's pretty much sang pretty circles around every other taboo!
Oh jesus fucking christ, EVERYONE on SongMeanings thinks literally EVERY single song ever written is about doing drugs and the literal physical act of sex/masturbation.<br /> <br /> So the lyrics mention "tightening up" and "being yours tonight" and, based ENTIRELY on that, you are automatically CERTAIN the song is about JERKING YOURSELF OFF.<br /> <br /> That says A LOT more about YOU than it says about the MEANING of the fucking song.<br /> <br /> You can literally tie ANY phrase or sentence to sex or drugs if you are stupid enough to make stupid assumptions without realizing you're doing so.<br /> <br /> If you think this song is EXCLUSIVELY about MASTURBATION you are a STRAIGHT-UP MORON who knows NOTHING about art, music, literature, or even CRITICAL THINKING of ANY KIND WHATSOEVER and should probably keep your opinion to yourself, because, jesus christ, you are DUMB as HELL.