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.
My friend Jack eats sugarlumps
My friend Jack eats sugarlumps
Sugarman hasn’t got a care
He’s been traveling everywhere
Been on a voyage across the ocean
Heard the sweet sounds of wheels in motion
He’s seen the hawk fly high to hail the setting sun
My friend Jack eats sugarlumps
My friend Jack eats sugarlumps
Sugarman hasn’t got a care
He’s been traveling everywhere
He’s seen the people in the city
And the bright lights, they’re awful pretty
He’s followed dusty tracks into eternity
Eatin’ sugar made in Cuba
Tried to grow it in Japan
On the west coast he’s real famous
Kids all call him sugarman
My friend Jack eats sugarlumps
My friend Jack eats sugarlumps
Sugarman hasn’t got a care
He’s been traveling everywhere
Been on a voyage across the ocean
Heard the sweet sounds of wheels in motion
He’s seen the hawk fly high to hail the setting sun
My friend Jack eats sugarlumps
My friend Jack eats sugarlumps
Sugarman hasn’t got a care
He’s been traveling everywhere
My friend Jack eats sugarlumps
Sugarman hasn’t got a care
He’s been traveling everywhere
Been on a voyage across the ocean
Heard the sweet sounds of wheels in motion
He’s seen the hawk fly high to hail the setting sun
My friend Jack eats sugarlumps
My friend Jack eats sugarlumps
Sugarman hasn’t got a care
He’s been traveling everywhere
He’s seen the people in the city
And the bright lights, they’re awful pretty
He’s followed dusty tracks into eternity
Eatin’ sugar made in Cuba
Tried to grow it in Japan
On the west coast he’s real famous
Kids all call him sugarman
My friend Jack eats sugarlumps
My friend Jack eats sugarlumps
Sugarman hasn’t got a care
He’s been traveling everywhere
Been on a voyage across the ocean
Heard the sweet sounds of wheels in motion
He’s seen the hawk fly high to hail the setting sun
My friend Jack eats sugarlumps
My friend Jack eats sugarlumps
Sugarman hasn’t got a care
He’s been traveling everywhere
Lyrics submitted by joelm
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Until yesterday morning, I did not notice that there are actually 2 versions of The Smoke's recording. They have different lyrics except the "My friend Jack eats sugar lumps" part in the chorus.
While listening to the 2015 compilation "Beach Party" (compiled by Georges Lang, RTL), on the CD 4, it's the second version that appears on it, whereas in Georges' radio shows "Beach Party" and "La Collection", it's the first version that he airs. I found it odd...