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.
Heaven pinned a medal on your chest for bravery
in the face of the fight,
And you bathe another wound from the battle you lose
your faith takes a nosedive,
There's so much that we don't talk about,
If only I could hear those words that avoid your mouth,
I could speak up for you,
Now I watch as you tread away,
Your head's afloat for another day,
Do you ever feel you're running blind?
Heading into nowhere and sailing without wind,
As the doubts remain,
'Cause you're sick and tired of worrying about tomorrow,
When today's not even started,
And it's a blink of a day you glimpse,
If you were given the key,
Would you leave me a note at first light?
As you go head first into paradise.
Stringing up your shoes with the bad luck blues,
Your feet don't know which way to turn,
Untouched by wind or sun you're exposing
a core that's starting to burn,
There's so much that I never see,
If only I could borrow your eyes and take a peek,
I could keep watch for you,
Now I watch as you grip the reins,
And take control of a blinded horse led astray,
Do you ever feel your heart's been denied,
of happy ever endings amidst a fading light,
I think it's time for change,
'Cause I want you to wake not worrying about tomorrow,
I know I want to be just like you,
Except without the losing streak,
So when you're given the key,
Will you leave me a note at first light?
As you go head first into paradise.
in the face of the fight,
And you bathe another wound from the battle you lose
your faith takes a nosedive,
There's so much that we don't talk about,
If only I could hear those words that avoid your mouth,
I could speak up for you,
Now I watch as you tread away,
Your head's afloat for another day,
Do you ever feel you're running blind?
Heading into nowhere and sailing without wind,
As the doubts remain,
'Cause you're sick and tired of worrying about tomorrow,
When today's not even started,
And it's a blink of a day you glimpse,
If you were given the key,
Would you leave me a note at first light?
As you go head first into paradise.
Stringing up your shoes with the bad luck blues,
Your feet don't know which way to turn,
Untouched by wind or sun you're exposing
a core that's starting to burn,
There's so much that I never see,
If only I could borrow your eyes and take a peek,
I could keep watch for you,
Now I watch as you grip the reins,
And take control of a blinded horse led astray,
Do you ever feel your heart's been denied,
of happy ever endings amidst a fading light,
I think it's time for change,
'Cause I want you to wake not worrying about tomorrow,
I know I want to be just like you,
Except without the losing streak,
So when you're given the key,
Will you leave me a note at first light?
As you go head first into paradise.
Lyrics submitted by goonerfan
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To me this song is from the point of view of a spouse or a child of a soldier that has come back home but just isn't there. The singer wants to be like his hero and the hero has PTSD or just cannot connect. On another note, this is a beautiful song and Scott Mathews deserves to be recognized for his genious.