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.
Cuckoo
In April, I open my bill
In May, I sing night and day
In June, I change my tune
In July, how far I fly
In August, away
Cuckoo
In April, I open my bill
In May, I sing night and day
In June, I change my tune
In July, how far I fly
In August, away
Cuckoo
Lyrics submitted by mister care-too-much
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I heard this song, as I'm guessing a lot of people did, in Moonrise Kingdom, so with that still in my mind, I can't help but interpret this song in relation to the movie.
I feel as though it describes the progression of Sam and Suzy's relationship. "In April, I open my bill" refers to the start of their relationship, and them finding and opening up to each other. It also works out really nicely that when they first met, Suzy was dressed as a raven, so it's almost literal.
"In May, I sing night and day" refers to the period when they're exchanging letters and discovering more and more about each other as they pour their selves into the letters.
"In June, I change my tune" is about the time they begin thinking about running away together and making plans to do so.
The realization of that goal, the flight, the escape, happens in "July, how far I fly."
In "August" they're back home, but continue secretly seeing each other. "Away" refers to the continuation of the relationship despite circumstances, and implies that in one way their flight was successful, because their love still remains.
The repetition of "cuckoo," in relation to the movie, I just find so damn significant and meaningful. A cuckoo is really just a bird, an innocent and beautiful thing, but society has appropriated the name to designate someone who's "crazy." Just like how the protagonists, simply because they're outcasts, get labed "emotionally disturbed" and "troubled," yet beneath that is a beautiful interior that only comes to the surface when they're near someone who understands.