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 you pull me in sometimes I almost feel
The picture in my head is just too real
It's gonna be how it is, there's some things you don't change
I'm done with telling myself that story
How slowly we built the walls
Years they pile up
I will steal you back
Funny how the smallest lie
Might live a million times
I will steal you back
Here we go, here we go, we'll take on so much pain
To feel secure, not feel anything
I only pick a fight I'm sure to lose
So how can I not hold my hope for you
How slowly we built the walls
Years they pile up
I will steal you back
Funny how the smallest lie
Might live a million times
I will steal you back
(Back, back)
How slowly we built the walls
Years they pile up
I will steal you back
Funny how the smallest lie
Might live a million times
I will steal you back
(Back, back)
I will steal you back
I will steal you back
The picture in my head is just too real
It's gonna be how it is, there's some things you don't change
I'm done with telling myself that story
How slowly we built the walls
Years they pile up
I will steal you back
Funny how the smallest lie
Might live a million times
I will steal you back
Here we go, here we go, we'll take on so much pain
To feel secure, not feel anything
I only pick a fight I'm sure to lose
So how can I not hold my hope for you
How slowly we built the walls
Years they pile up
I will steal you back
Funny how the smallest lie
Might live a million times
I will steal you back
(Back, back)
How slowly we built the walls
Years they pile up
I will steal you back
Funny how the smallest lie
Might live a million times
I will steal you back
(Back, back)
I will steal you back
I will steal you back
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I feel like this song is about taking control of a relationship. It is kind of a hopeless feeling when you are being controlled in a relationship, and this song is about taking charge. ("It's gonna be how it is, there's some things you don't change I'm done with telling myself that story")