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.
I went to a wedding, I brought a song
I folded it up like a list of thanks at a Praisathon
The bride was Snow White, the groom was strong
Trailers as endless as the day is long
Some days are fairy tales, some days belie
The four and twenty black birds baked in a pie
Could open up their sweet throats to serenade a king
That's a lot of heat to take and still be able to sing, sing, sing
It's not been proven hard to bring unending start
And even easier to die from a broken heart
Oh, was a blind force trauma from the fireworks
That someone is celebrating while another gets hurt
Some days are fairy tales, some days belie
The four and twenty black birds baked in a pie
Could open up their sweet throats to serenade a king
That's a lot of heat to take and still be able to sing
Still I see them in the night
With their blood red wings alike
While the rocket's red glare
Gives proof through the night
If some things not right
Some things not right
In the book of Steven there is no prophecy
'Cause there was no need for God in the way things came to be
Some live by faith, some live by proof
They don't meet up on a friendly road or live under the same roof
Some days are fairy tales, some days belie
Four and twenty black birds baked in a pie
Could open up their sweet throats to serenade a king
That's a lot of heat to take and still be able to sing, sing, sing
Sing, sing, sing
And the birds fall hard like black rain
Jerking the earth with a portent stain
Beat like drums, they beat like a wings
Are we looking? Are we listening?
Sing, sing, sing, sing
Sing, sing, sing
I folded it up like a list of thanks at a Praisathon
The bride was Snow White, the groom was strong
Trailers as endless as the day is long
Some days are fairy tales, some days belie
The four and twenty black birds baked in a pie
Could open up their sweet throats to serenade a king
That's a lot of heat to take and still be able to sing, sing, sing
It's not been proven hard to bring unending start
And even easier to die from a broken heart
Oh, was a blind force trauma from the fireworks
That someone is celebrating while another gets hurt
Some days are fairy tales, some days belie
The four and twenty black birds baked in a pie
Could open up their sweet throats to serenade a king
That's a lot of heat to take and still be able to sing
Still I see them in the night
With their blood red wings alike
While the rocket's red glare
Gives proof through the night
If some things not right
Some things not right
In the book of Steven there is no prophecy
'Cause there was no need for God in the way things came to be
Some live by faith, some live by proof
They don't meet up on a friendly road or live under the same roof
Some days are fairy tales, some days belie
Four and twenty black birds baked in a pie
Could open up their sweet throats to serenade a king
That's a lot of heat to take and still be able to sing, sing, sing
Sing, sing, sing
And the birds fall hard like black rain
Jerking the earth with a portent stain
Beat like drums, they beat like a wings
Are we looking? Are we listening?
Sing, sing, sing, sing
Sing, sing, sing
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
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He reuses the verse melody from the previous album's "Dirty Little Religion", the topics of the verses are all over the place, and he packs too many words into one line (goes to show...) and too few in another (it's pretty hard to find), and rhymes "Henley Regatta" with "Persona non grata", but gets away with it all as only he could.
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Doors, The
Like a lot of the other comments are saying, I think this mainly about voyeurism. If the song was about his girlfriend, then why would he use the word spy. If you are a spy it means you shouldn't be caught, that is kind of the whole point, and if you are a voyeur, the whole point of the pleasure you get from it, is the fact that the other people don't know you are watching them. See a bit of a connection there?
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Silent Planet
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Just an observation to note that I'd think it must be 'BLUNT force trauma', not 'blind force trauma' (unless they're up to something subtle that I missed).