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.
I suppose we are born from our silence
But you seem to take yours with you
Like a child that refuses to bloom
You forced me to face all of your beauty
Then turned your beauty away from yourself
This road that we've taken doesn't seem to stop here
But doesn't seem to go anywhere else
And your heart rests in your chest
Like a charm 'round your neck
That you couldn't find words to refuse
And this high horse you ride
It has broken its stride
As it leads us through worlds built for you
So walk with me a little bit further
So I can find the tenderness you keep inside
God made you with a taste for the madness in love
But you confuse your gift with your pride
And I can't help you with removed that bandage
I will leave you all to yourself while you heal
As I'm learning time is a language
And it's the best way to explain how I feel
And while the magician you meet
Sweeps you off your feet
Saying he'll teach you tricks all for free
I'll be in the way that you laugh
As he cuts you in half
And holds you up for the crowds all to see
So forgive me for feeling so strongly
But I feel like we can finally agree
That true lovers always end up lonely
Cause they know how good it could be
I've heard the men in your wake
Describe you as a snake
As you slip away when they start to wilt
But I firmly believe
You're a lot more like Eve
As she enjoys a bit of her guilt
But you seem to take yours with you
Like a child that refuses to bloom
You forced me to face all of your beauty
Then turned your beauty away from yourself
This road that we've taken doesn't seem to stop here
But doesn't seem to go anywhere else
And your heart rests in your chest
Like a charm 'round your neck
That you couldn't find words to refuse
And this high horse you ride
It has broken its stride
As it leads us through worlds built for you
So walk with me a little bit further
So I can find the tenderness you keep inside
God made you with a taste for the madness in love
But you confuse your gift with your pride
And I can't help you with removed that bandage
I will leave you all to yourself while you heal
As I'm learning time is a language
And it's the best way to explain how I feel
And while the magician you meet
Sweeps you off your feet
Saying he'll teach you tricks all for free
I'll be in the way that you laugh
As he cuts you in half
And holds you up for the crowds all to see
So forgive me for feeling so strongly
But I feel like we can finally agree
That true lovers always end up lonely
Cause they know how good it could be
I've heard the men in your wake
Describe you as a snake
As you slip away when they start to wilt
But I firmly believe
You're a lot more like Eve
As she enjoys a bit of her guilt
Lyrics submitted by matthewconte
The Way You Laugh Lyrics as written by Taylor Goldsmith
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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That is one of the best closing verses ever. Such a good lyric.