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.
When I heard the ladiesman was dead
I saw the rolling stone stopped moving
Saw my ancient hero on the Sunset Strip
He left behind a legacy of ruin
Now painted ladies want to hold my gun
Wonder if the whole time if I'd been acting
When I sang "Moon River" in that silent film
Had I really made a sound when they called action
I swear that man was womankind's first husband
They all died in a line to save him
I'm a steady hand, I'm a Dodger's fan
I'm a leaning brand of a one night stand
I'm a ladiesman
Oh, some ladiesman
Oh, some ladiesman
Couldn't see his used up body at the funeral
By virtue of the flailing of his conquests
They tied down his casket with the garter belt
Each troubled heart was beating in a sequin dress
Someone must console these lonesome daughters
No written word or ballad will appease them
Cowboy and the cop shot down the ladiesman
The humid nights in L.A. are now silence
I swear that man was womankind's first husband
Only son of the ladiesman
Only son of the ladiesman
Only son of the ladiesman, oh
I saw the rolling stone stopped moving
Saw my ancient hero on the Sunset Strip
He left behind a legacy of ruin
Now painted ladies want to hold my gun
Wonder if the whole time if I'd been acting
When I sang "Moon River" in that silent film
Had I really made a sound when they called action
I swear that man was womankind's first husband
They all died in a line to save him
I'm a steady hand, I'm a Dodger's fan
I'm a leaning brand of a one night stand
I'm a ladiesman
Oh, some ladiesman
Oh, some ladiesman
Couldn't see his used up body at the funeral
By virtue of the flailing of his conquests
They tied down his casket with the garter belt
Each troubled heart was beating in a sequin dress
Someone must console these lonesome daughters
No written word or ballad will appease them
Cowboy and the cop shot down the ladiesman
The humid nights in L.A. are now silence
I swear that man was womankind's first husband
Only son of the ladiesman
Only son of the ladiesman
Only son of the ladiesman, oh
Lyrics submitted by casiopt10, edited by Gabrielsmith, JaySugar
Only Son Of A Ladiesman Lyrics as written by Joshua Tillman
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
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i hear "Couldn't see his used up body at the funeral", because of all the flailing from the attending ladies and all
and thanks for transcribing all these lyrics btw.
Hm. I hear that now too. Thanks.