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.
It's the spring of your time
And the time has come
The open road receives you
Won't you roll to a stop
Won't you gaze at the drop
And the awful miles below you?
Take care where you step
Don't you know that it Death
And Life and Love you straddle
Stay right if you can
Oh, you poor old man
You were born to be in battle
In the summer you'll find
That you road ruse aside
A tangled man-made thicket
Take care you don't lean
Dip your toes in the stream
That sweeps away the wicked
Survey all you see
'Cause there's still time to leave
The briar and the bramble
Stay right if you can
Oh, you poor old man
You were born to be in battle
In the fall of your time
You're astounded to find
So much is now behind you
With kids of your own
You'll be scared 'fore you know
Just walk the dark and mind you
Tell them what I told you
In days of your youth
What's well with whom you travel
Stay right if you can
Oh, you poor old man
You were born to be in battle
In the winter of life
You'll be asked for your light
Lay down, all forts surrender
And all that is you
That is precious and true
Is the awful price you'll tender
And I will look on
But I long for you, son
Don't tarry there, don't amble
Stay right if you can
Oh, you poor old man
You were born to be in battle
And the time has come
The open road receives you
Won't you roll to a stop
Won't you gaze at the drop
And the awful miles below you?
Take care where you step
Don't you know that it Death
And Life and Love you straddle
Stay right if you can
Oh, you poor old man
You were born to be in battle
In the summer you'll find
That you road ruse aside
A tangled man-made thicket
Take care you don't lean
Dip your toes in the stream
That sweeps away the wicked
Survey all you see
'Cause there's still time to leave
The briar and the bramble
Stay right if you can
Oh, you poor old man
You were born to be in battle
In the fall of your time
You're astounded to find
So much is now behind you
With kids of your own
You'll be scared 'fore you know
Just walk the dark and mind you
Tell them what I told you
In days of your youth
What's well with whom you travel
Stay right if you can
Oh, you poor old man
You were born to be in battle
In the winter of life
You'll be asked for your light
Lay down, all forts surrender
And all that is you
That is precious and true
Is the awful price you'll tender
And I will look on
But I long for you, son
Don't tarry there, don't amble
Stay right if you can
Oh, you poor old man
You were born to be in battle
Lyrics submitted by mjsamelson, edited by quamp
You Were Born to Be in Battle Lyrics as written by Murry Hammond Kendall Dewayne Bethea
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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It's more of a warning about what the life of a war hero can be like. You go in, fight, and win glory for your side, but there's always a chance you'll slip and fall. I really think the singer is talking to someone older than himself; this war hero has fought for a long time, and is wanting that one last battle. The singer is warning him that there really is no glory in dying.