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.
Call out your castaway
You'll wake up to carry in the new day
Send 'em out from the castle on high
Talk is talk, solely in your mind
Claim-stake the final words
What goes around is knocking at your front door
Straightface, you're wrapped in
High-flown for hire
Make believe you breathe out
Every one you take
The viewpoints slam,
Mates just look around to know you're wicked
Proclaimed from protected stances
Who, wallowing, wear what you've fallen into
You demonize what you don't understand
Darts surround your heavy, heavy hand
Straightface, you're wrapped in
High-flown for hire
Make believe you breathe out
Every one you take
Better keep the bags packed
Keep your nose clean
Check the shelf life and date
Reticent gonna soon realize
Showgirls magazines define your minds eye
You're a rough draft you're old news
You're a grifter with a funny little hat
Straightface, you're wrapped in
High-flown for hire
Make believe you breathe out
Every one you take
You'll wake up to carry in the new day
Send 'em out from the castle on high
Talk is talk, solely in your mind
Claim-stake the final words
What goes around is knocking at your front door
Straightface, you're wrapped in
High-flown for hire
Make believe you breathe out
Every one you take
The viewpoints slam,
Mates just look around to know you're wicked
Proclaimed from protected stances
Who, wallowing, wear what you've fallen into
You demonize what you don't understand
Darts surround your heavy, heavy hand
Straightface, you're wrapped in
High-flown for hire
Make believe you breathe out
Every one you take
Better keep the bags packed
Keep your nose clean
Check the shelf life and date
Reticent gonna soon realize
Showgirls magazines define your minds eye
You're a rough draft you're old news
You're a grifter with a funny little hat
Straightface, you're wrapped in
High-flown for hire
Make believe you breathe out
Every one you take
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Straightface Lyrics as written by Jay Farrar
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Can't believe no one has commented on this awesome song, although I have no idea what it's about. I do like: "You demonize what you don't understand/ Darts surround your heavy, heavy hand" ... reminds me of a few talk radio hosts.