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.
There was a time when you were proud
You looked up to me with big eyes
And I could do no wrong
There's something inside
That's clearly tearing both of us apart
Oh, there's something inside
I wonder where you are, tonight
And what you did with your day
Can't find the words to say
Did you feel the sun?
Did you feel the warmness of my heart
Oh, did you feel at all?
They say if you love someone you gotta let them go
And if they return to you that's surely how you'll know
Oh, I can read the writing on the wall
Oh, but I can't let go
They say if you love someone you gotta let them go
And if they return to you that's surely how you'll know
Oh, I can read the writing on the wall
Oh, but I can't let go
I'm hopelessly aware
Of the good and the bad traits we share
It's like looking at myself
And I know that at times
I could've handled things differently
Oh, but know my intentions were well
They say if you love someone, you gotta let them go
And if they return to you that's surely how you'll know
Oh, I can read the writing on the wall
Oh, but I can't let go
Oh, I can't let go
Oh, I can't let go
Oh, I can't let go
Oh, I can't let go
You looked up to me with big eyes
And I could do no wrong
There's something inside
That's clearly tearing both of us apart
Oh, there's something inside
I wonder where you are, tonight
And what you did with your day
Can't find the words to say
Did you feel the sun?
Did you feel the warmness of my heart
Oh, did you feel at all?
They say if you love someone you gotta let them go
And if they return to you that's surely how you'll know
Oh, I can read the writing on the wall
Oh, but I can't let go
They say if you love someone you gotta let them go
And if they return to you that's surely how you'll know
Oh, I can read the writing on the wall
Oh, but I can't let go
I'm hopelessly aware
Of the good and the bad traits we share
It's like looking at myself
And I know that at times
I could've handled things differently
Oh, but know my intentions were well
They say if you love someone, you gotta let them go
And if they return to you that's surely how you'll know
Oh, I can read the writing on the wall
Oh, but I can't let go
Oh, I can't let go
Oh, I can't let go
Oh, I can't let go
Oh, I can't let go
Lyrics submitted by pswizz2202
Writing on the Wall Lyrics as written by Michael Ness
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I agree. It could be seen as a song for lost love, but I think it fits the parent/child bill MUCH better.