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.
This old world can be cruel sometimes
When you're looking for answers
You can't seem to find
No one understands what you're going through
Oh, I know it can get lonely out there
When you feel like nobody cares
Well, you look around thinking
If they only knew
Well I do
[Chorus:]
I've felt the chill of this world cut down to the bone
I've walked many a mile down this road on my own
I've been through hell on my knees
Come face to face with the devil
And I know that it's hard to believe
But it gets better
Time is a healer, but we can't see how
When you're caught in the moment
And the hurting is now
We don't want to see that maybe somethings
Weren't meant to figure out
[Chorus]
This old world can be cruel sometimes
When you're looking for answers
Well, just keep in mind
No, you're not alone
We're all trying to find our way through this life
[Chorus]
When you're looking for answers
You can't seem to find
No one understands what you're going through
Oh, I know it can get lonely out there
When you feel like nobody cares
Well, you look around thinking
If they only knew
Well I do
[Chorus:]
I've felt the chill of this world cut down to the bone
I've walked many a mile down this road on my own
I've been through hell on my knees
Come face to face with the devil
And I know that it's hard to believe
But it gets better
Time is a healer, but we can't see how
When you're caught in the moment
And the hurting is now
We don't want to see that maybe somethings
Weren't meant to figure out
[Chorus]
This old world can be cruel sometimes
When you're looking for answers
Well, just keep in mind
No, you're not alone
We're all trying to find our way through this life
[Chorus]
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
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I love this song. Everyone needs someone to care and to be told 'Don't worry. It WILL get better."