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've gone out too far
May not make it back
How can I get through
If you cringe at the sight
And if I had something you wanted
You would stay
That's just the horrifying way I see it
Shame
Screaming like a whale from the love I've failed
Dreaming of a way but you know my hands are tied
Falling to the floor in a restless state
Picking at my skin cause you know I can't be saved
I may lose myself
So you will be fine
And if I had something you wanted
You would stay
That's just the horrifying way I see it
If you really mean it
If you really mean it
You never have to go
That's all I want
Burning like a candle at both its ends
Shining really bright but the warmth won't last the night
Falling to the floor in a restless state
Picking at my skin cause you know I can't be saved
You say you wanted more
I know you wanted more
Doesn't mean a thing
Mean a thing to me
You said that you would change
Everything's the same
It takes too much for me
It takes everything
Shame
Screaming like a whale from the love I've failed
Dreaming of a way but you know my hands are tied
Burning like a candle at both its ends
Shining really bright but the warmth won't last the night
May not make it back
How can I get through
If you cringe at the sight
And if I had something you wanted
You would stay
That's just the horrifying way I see it
Shame
Screaming like a whale from the love I've failed
Dreaming of a way but you know my hands are tied
Falling to the floor in a restless state
Picking at my skin cause you know I can't be saved
I may lose myself
So you will be fine
And if I had something you wanted
You would stay
That's just the horrifying way I see it
If you really mean it
If you really mean it
You never have to go
That's all I want
Burning like a candle at both its ends
Shining really bright but the warmth won't last the night
Falling to the floor in a restless state
Picking at my skin cause you know I can't be saved
You say you wanted more
I know you wanted more
Doesn't mean a thing
Mean a thing to me
You said that you would change
Everything's the same
It takes too much for me
It takes everything
Shame
Screaming like a whale from the love I've failed
Dreaming of a way but you know my hands are tied
Burning like a candle at both its ends
Shining really bright but the warmth won't last the night
Lyrics submitted by EternalTearsOfSorrow
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This heart-wrenching, beautiful song I believe is about someone who wants to be accepted as they are by someone they love. He realizes they both are flawed & far from perfect, but he really loves this person and wishes they could have a second chance. At the same time he knows that more then likely the relationship can't be saved (too many challenges) . This song is him coming to grips with the end of that relationship as it crumbles to dust.