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.
The birds can't lie with my collar in my teeth
No one knows you like no one knows me
Wait for a day, you will never, never know the way
How it feels
I'll be your man
I'll be your man
I'll be your man
I'll be your man
Walking hand in hand by the side of the road
Heaven knows what we could have been
But somehow we wait and a little bit falls away
Do you feel
I'll be your man
I'll be your man
I'll be your man
I'll be your man
In the day, I can be your lover
In the night, these words are true
And we wait, wait forever
For night, I can find
Why don't you wait
Won't you tell me what it is
Do you feel
I'll be your man
I'll be your man
I'll be your man
I'll be your man
No one knows you like no one knows me
Wait for a day, you will never, never know the way
How it feels
I'll be your man
I'll be your man
I'll be your man
I'll be your man
Walking hand in hand by the side of the road
Heaven knows what we could have been
But somehow we wait and a little bit falls away
Do you feel
I'll be your man
I'll be your man
I'll be your man
I'll be your man
In the day, I can be your lover
In the night, these words are true
And we wait, wait forever
For night, I can find
Why don't you wait
Won't you tell me what it is
Do you feel
I'll be your man
I'll be your man
I'll be your man
I'll be your man
Lyrics submitted by AlexSyrup
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Some people use this song to question Anna's sexuality, but I think that is taking the interpretation a little too literally. I believe that when Anna says, 'I'll Be Your Man' she is talking about taking on the role of a male in the relationship, ie, supporting her lover, being strong and protecting them. Rather than a sexuality thing, it seems to be a reversal of gender stereotypes.