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.
Shot down
Can’t bear to rot in this town
Right wrong
Tell me on which side do I belong
Code sign
Trapped in a world that was not mine
Held tongue
You speak the words bring me undone
The world is going to fall
Deals done in parking lots
Your call
You’ve gone to far
Cold light signals that search the air by night
Put down to the never ending
Close your eyes and keep pretending
And if you catch it from the side of your eye
Look around the room no one try’s
To deny the second thought
Your innocence can always be bought
The race was never run
The start and the finish line are one
And some will say
It’s just the ending of our way
And at the breaking of the day
You and I must walk the end of long roads
You and I must face this on our own
And the wolves that track the wounded
I never wanted it this way
And some will say
It’s just the ending of our way
You’ve gone to far
Lies
Every word you sold me
Lies
Every thing you told me
Can’t bear to rot in this town
Right wrong
Tell me on which side do I belong
Code sign
Trapped in a world that was not mine
Held tongue
You speak the words bring me undone
The world is going to fall
Deals done in parking lots
Your call
You’ve gone to far
Cold light signals that search the air by night
Put down to the never ending
Close your eyes and keep pretending
And if you catch it from the side of your eye
Look around the room no one try’s
To deny the second thought
Your innocence can always be bought
The race was never run
The start and the finish line are one
And some will say
It’s just the ending of our way
And at the breaking of the day
You and I must walk the end of long roads
You and I must face this on our own
And the wolves that track the wounded
I never wanted it this way
And some will say
It’s just the ending of our way
You’ve gone to far
Lies
Every word you sold me
Lies
Every thing you told me
Lyrics submitted by sokorny
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Sounds like someone was trapped in a situation that they felt betrayed by (or at least wronged by someone else).
This song seems to be directed at that someone, and this is their song saying no more will I be yours to manipulate.