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'm a fool for that shake in your thighs
I'm a fool for that sound in your sighs
I'm a fool for your belly
I'm a fool for you love
I wanna make this play
Oh, I know your faded
Mm, but stay, don't close your hands
I wanna make this play
Oh, I know your faded
Mm, but stay, don't close your hands
Caught in this pool held in your eyes
Caught like a fool without a line
We're in a natural spring
With this gentle sting between us
I wanna make this play
Oh, I know your faded
Mm, but stay, don't close your hands
I wanna make this play
Oh, I know your faded
Mm, but stay, don't close your hands
Ooh, stay open
Ooh, stay open
Stay open
Stay open
I wanna make this play
Oh, I know your faded
Mm, but stay, don't close your hands
I wanna make this play
Oh, I know your faded
Mm, but stay, don't close your hands
Ooh, stay open
Ooh, stay open, babe
Ooh, stay open
Mm, stay open
I'm a fool for that sound in your sighs
I'm a fool for your belly
I'm a fool for you love
I wanna make this play
Oh, I know your faded
Mm, but stay, don't close your hands
I wanna make this play
Oh, I know your faded
Mm, but stay, don't close your hands
Caught in this pool held in your eyes
Caught like a fool without a line
We're in a natural spring
With this gentle sting between us
I wanna make this play
Oh, I know your faded
Mm, but stay, don't close your hands
I wanna make this play
Oh, I know your faded
Mm, but stay, don't close your hands
Ooh, stay open
Ooh, stay open
Stay open
Stay open
I wanna make this play
Oh, I know your faded
Mm, but stay, don't close your hands
I wanna make this play
Oh, I know your faded
Mm, but stay, don't close your hands
Ooh, stay open
Ooh, stay open, babe
Ooh, stay open
Mm, stay open
Lyrics submitted by shirtsleeves, edited by surelysure, Phyxsius
Open Lyrics as written by Robin Hannibal Michael Milosh
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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For me this song has always been about a forbidden love.
The person being sang to is "fading" and the singer wants her to stay "open".