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.
On the day that I was born
Daddy sat down and cried
I had the mark just as plain as day
Which could not be denied
They say that Cain caught Abel
Rolling loaded dice,
Ace of spades behind his ear
And him not thinking twice
[Chorus]
Half-step
Mississippi Uptown Toodleloo
Hello baby, I'm gone, goodbye
Half a cup of rock and rye
Farewell to you old southern sky
I'm on my way, on my way
If all you got to live for
Is what you left behind
Get yourself a powder charge
And seal that silver mine
I lost my boots in transit babe
Pile of smoking leather
Nailed a retread to my feet
And prayed for better weather
[Chorus]
They say that when your ship comes in
The first man takes the sails
The second takes the after deck
The third the planks and rails
What's the point in calling shots?
This cue ain't straight in line
Cue ball's made of Styrofoam
And no one's got the time
[Chorus]
Across the Rio Grand-eo
Across the lazy river
Across the Rio Grand-eo
Across the lazy river
Daddy sat down and cried
I had the mark just as plain as day
Which could not be denied
They say that Cain caught Abel
Rolling loaded dice,
Ace of spades behind his ear
And him not thinking twice
[Chorus]
Half-step
Mississippi Uptown Toodleloo
Hello baby, I'm gone, goodbye
Half a cup of rock and rye
Farewell to you old southern sky
I'm on my way, on my way
If all you got to live for
Is what you left behind
Get yourself a powder charge
And seal that silver mine
I lost my boots in transit babe
Pile of smoking leather
Nailed a retread to my feet
And prayed for better weather
[Chorus]
They say that when your ship comes in
The first man takes the sails
The second takes the after deck
The third the planks and rails
What's the point in calling shots?
This cue ain't straight in line
Cue ball's made of Styrofoam
And no one's got the time
[Chorus]
Across the Rio Grand-eo
Across the lazy river
Across the Rio Grand-eo
Across the lazy river
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by Mellow_Harsher
Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleloo Lyrics as written by Robert C. Hunter Jerome J. Garcia
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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No drugs have nothing to do with this. Don't cheat Cain (or Abel). Well actually drugs have a lot to do with this song. And every song the Grateful Dead wrote. This should be a historical comment.