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.
Bar the door Casey, don’t let me in,
My shade’ll not cross your dear threshold again,
Bar the door Casey, mind the way well,
And send my poor ghost on to heaven or hell.
We’ve fought scores of sailors for the suds frae a keg,
O’er the draw of a card, or a rare glimpse of leg,
We’ve graced Kuta’s beaches with our pallid white skin,
Now Casey old mate, my barge has come in.
We’ve stormed foreign strands & taken our knocks,
Held fast to our picket & lay siege to the docks,
We’ve mourned pals & lovers too long fore their time,
Now Casey old China, the parting is mine.
I’ve penned a few lines to my missus of years,
If ye find where she’s staying, don’t wait for the tears,
And I’ve left a wee sum for to see me away,
And a pint to fond memory at the close of the day.
My shade’ll not cross your dear threshold again,
Bar the door Casey, mind the way well,
And send my poor ghost on to heaven or hell.
We’ve fought scores of sailors for the suds frae a keg,
O’er the draw of a card, or a rare glimpse of leg,
We’ve graced Kuta’s beaches with our pallid white skin,
Now Casey old mate, my barge has come in.
We’ve stormed foreign strands & taken our knocks,
Held fast to our picket & lay siege to the docks,
We’ve mourned pals & lovers too long fore their time,
Now Casey old China, the parting is mine.
I’ve penned a few lines to my missus of years,
If ye find where she’s staying, don’t wait for the tears,
And I’ve left a wee sum for to see me away,
And a pint to fond memory at the close of the day.
Lyrics submitted by Moooney
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Lyrics don't quite seem right. They repeat the chorus (First verse) here more than once. Anyway, this song is about a guy who knows he's doomed; he's saying his last goodbyes to his friend Casey. It's also possible he's staying outside to fight some enemy and allow Casey some time to get away from things.