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.
""On the rise Going up First to be Alone on the top No delusion In your mind Peripheral vision Left behind Somewhere someone must bow Despair hidden somehow Somewhere someone must bow Somewhere someone must bow Despair hidden somehow Somewhere someone must bow Solid effort Underground Undervalue To be found Felt inside Something alive Devious instinct To survive Truly hard To comprehend Still effortless To defend Real compassion Obsolete Camouflaging Indiscreet Somewhere someone must bow Despair hidden somehow Somewhere someone must bow""
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Newton's Third Law is:
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
The song appears to be making a similar conclusion "somewhere, someone must bow", that is someone has to submit because of your actions.
The chorus really sends me soaring!!