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 not supposed to be that way
You're supposed to know I love you
But it don't matter anyway
If I can't be there to control you
Like the other little children why
You're gonna dream a dream or two
But be careful what you're dreamin'
Or soon your dreams'll be dreamin' you
It's not supposed to be that way
You're supposed to know I love you
But it don't matter anyway
If I can't be there to console you
When you go out to play this evenin'
Play with fire flies till they're gone
Then you rush to meet your lover
And play with real fire till the dawn
But it's not supposed to be that way
You're supposed to know I love you
But it don't matter anyway
If I can't be there to console you
When you go out to play this evenin'
Play with fire flies till they're gone
Then you rush to meet your lover
And play with real fire till the dawn
But it's not supposed to be that way
You're supposed to know I love you
But it don't matter anyway
If I can't be there to console you
You're supposed to know I love you
But it don't matter anyway
If I can't be there to control you
Like the other little children why
You're gonna dream a dream or two
But be careful what you're dreamin'
Or soon your dreams'll be dreamin' you
It's not supposed to be that way
You're supposed to know I love you
But it don't matter anyway
If I can't be there to console you
When you go out to play this evenin'
Play with fire flies till they're gone
Then you rush to meet your lover
And play with real fire till the dawn
But it's not supposed to be that way
You're supposed to know I love you
But it don't matter anyway
If I can't be there to console you
When you go out to play this evenin'
Play with fire flies till they're gone
Then you rush to meet your lover
And play with real fire till the dawn
But it's not supposed to be that way
You're supposed to know I love you
But it don't matter anyway
If I can't be there to console you
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
It's Not Supposed to Be That Way Lyrics as written by Willie Nelson
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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Another unknown song, I see. I find a deep, painful issue being addressed here. It is very hard for us to love another person when we expect something in return. But this character isn't merely playing the love as a piggy bank where you get what you put into it scenario. Instead, the artist creates a more complex dynamic where the needy person has been where the cherished one is at and where they are headed. And, well, the way things turned out was not good. And, the singer recognizes that things aren't going to turn out so well for the cherished person he is addressing. No matter how painful, however, these facts (it's not supposed to be that way and whatever the consoling is needed for) can only be accepted as the natural order of things. Hence the lament.