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.
Who will stand alone?
She carried ribbons, she wore them out
Courage built a bridge, jealousy tore it down
At least it's something you've left behind
And like Kohoutek, you were gone
We sat in the garden, we stood on the porch
I won't deny myself, we never talked
She wore bangles, she wore bells on her toes
And she jumped like a fish
Like a flying friend, you were gone
Like Kohoutek, can't forget that
Fever built a bridge, reason tore it down
If I am one to follow, who will stand alone?
Maybe you're not the problem, scissors, paper, stone
If you stand and holler, these prayers will talk
She carried ribbons, she wore them out
Michael built a bridge, Michael tore it down
At least it's something you've left behind
Like Kohoutek, you were gone
Michael built a bridge, Michael tore it down
If I stand and holler, will I stand alone?
She carried ribbons, she wore them out
Courage built a bridge, jealousy tore it down
At least it's something you've left behind
And like Kohoutek, you were gone
We sat in the garden, we stood on the porch
I won't deny myself, we never talked
She wore bangles, she wore bells on her toes
And she jumped like a fish
Like a flying friend, you were gone
Like Kohoutek, can't forget that
Fever built a bridge, reason tore it down
If I am one to follow, who will stand alone?
Maybe you're not the problem, scissors, paper, stone
If you stand and holler, these prayers will talk
She carried ribbons, she wore them out
Michael built a bridge, Michael tore it down
At least it's something you've left behind
Like Kohoutek, you were gone
Michael built a bridge, Michael tore it down
If I stand and holler, will I stand alone?
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Kohoutek Lyrics as written by Peter Buck William Berry
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
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Kohoutek is most likely a comet by the same name, first discovered in 1973 by Lubosh Kohoutek. It was hyped to be "the comet of the century" yet failed to live up to its expectations. It was believed to become a bright object in the sky; however, since this was its first trip into the inner solar system, much of the frozen comet melted by the heat of the sun. Here the singer is comparing a woman that appears suddenly an is a bit flashy to the comet. He's let down by her appearance, and she won't talk to him; thus the meeting ends in a flash.