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.
I finally had all my ducks in a row
Peace and quiet, the means of subtraction
And how she got in, I'm not sure that I know
Two weeks on and my spine was in traction, my eyes in a basket
Well, god in my heart is so out of phase
And that kind of girl she ain't nobody's daughter
I'm just not used to these powerful waves
She shallows the breath and I'm taking on water
What am I to do now?
I call on a beautiful wish with a moral compass
I better swim
Hide from my psychic derailleur
Drive this car to the sea
Spend the night as high as a cannon in a towering hemlock
But it's no use you can always be found
A creature of habit has no real protection
I'll tell her I leave if she don't settle down
She sees it's a lie on closer inspection
Like everyone else does
The running, a terrible chomp
All this smoke in my eyes
I'm just a simple man
Cursed with an honest heart
Why'd she go and tear it all apart?
The running, a terrible chomp
All this smoke in my eyes
I'm just a simple man
Cursed with an honest heart
Why'd she go and tear it all apart?
Peace and quiet, the means of subtraction
And how she got in, I'm not sure that I know
Two weeks on and my spine was in traction, my eyes in a basket
Well, god in my heart is so out of phase
And that kind of girl she ain't nobody's daughter
I'm just not used to these powerful waves
She shallows the breath and I'm taking on water
What am I to do now?
I call on a beautiful wish with a moral compass
I better swim
Hide from my psychic derailleur
Drive this car to the sea
Spend the night as high as a cannon in a towering hemlock
But it's no use you can always be found
A creature of habit has no real protection
I'll tell her I leave if she don't settle down
She sees it's a lie on closer inspection
Like everyone else does
The running, a terrible chomp
All this smoke in my eyes
I'm just a simple man
Cursed with an honest heart
Why'd she go and tear it all apart?
The running, a terrible chomp
All this smoke in my eyes
I'm just a simple man
Cursed with an honest heart
Why'd she go and tear it all apart?
Lyrics submitted by Konversekid, edited by Ryuhza, ninelights, Charbeeswax
Bait And Switch Lyrics as written by James Mercer
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Not ONE of you bozo's even tried to interpret the lyrics. Good band. I'd interpret them for you, but I suck. And I am on a mission for pics tonight. Great band, BTW:)