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.
Once upon a time I was the scribe of all my dreams
I’ve seen the years turn into dust, now feel the rust in me
I’ve walked the shores of Avalon, I’ve seen the seasons change
I’ve laughed and cried, I’ve lived and died, but only on the page
Now all I have, all I am
All I ever was is here, on the page
It’s all the same, it never mattered anyway
It’s all a lie so let it burn...
[CHORUS:]
All empty words and all rhymes will fade
As the light of last candle flickers away
If the story is over, this chapter - my last
Let it be my best one, let it be my own
I hope it’s not too late to learn to live, and learn to love
I yearn to fight, to turn the tide before the tender dark
For I never drew the sword from stone, there’s no Helen in my Troy
I stand alone, I stand forgotten, just gazing into the void
Come night, test my will, test my soul
Test my faith and test my heart, torn apart
Make me strong, make me whole again and
Guide through the dark ‘till the morning comes
[CHORUS]
[SOLO]
[CHORUS x2]
I’ve seen the years turn into dust, now feel the rust in me
I’ve walked the shores of Avalon, I’ve seen the seasons change
I’ve laughed and cried, I’ve lived and died, but only on the page
Now all I have, all I am
All I ever was is here, on the page
It’s all the same, it never mattered anyway
It’s all a lie so let it burn...
[CHORUS:]
All empty words and all rhymes will fade
As the light of last candle flickers away
If the story is over, this chapter - my last
Let it be my best one, let it be my own
I hope it’s not too late to learn to live, and learn to love
I yearn to fight, to turn the tide before the tender dark
For I never drew the sword from stone, there’s no Helen in my Troy
I stand alone, I stand forgotten, just gazing into the void
Come night, test my will, test my soul
Test my faith and test my heart, torn apart
Make me strong, make me whole again and
Guide through the dark ‘till the morning comes
[CHORUS]
[SOLO]
[CHORUS x2]
Lyrics submitted by TheRealLumos
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