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.
We should not expect
The worst from ourselves
Or it's all we'll receive
We should not descend
Below our own selves
We'll get trapped underneath
We lie in suffrage
We're treated as mistakes
Feeling defeated
With crippled spirits
But we refuse to break
Our hearts not depleted
No control
We're unsustainable
On the ropes
Fighting and capable
Standing at the edge
Are we still worth it
No control
We're non retainable
Lost in smoke
But we're not replaceable
Clinching to our pledge
We are not worthless
Weakness overwhelms us all
Tranquil thoughts will overcome
The worst from ourselves
Or it's all we'll receive
We should not descend
Below our own selves
We'll get trapped underneath
We lie in suffrage
We're treated as mistakes
Feeling defeated
With crippled spirits
But we refuse to break
Our hearts not depleted
No control
We're unsustainable
On the ropes
Fighting and capable
Standing at the edge
Are we still worth it
No control
We're non retainable
Lost in smoke
But we're not replaceable
Clinching to our pledge
We are not worthless
Weakness overwhelms us all
Tranquil thoughts will overcome
Lyrics submitted by EternalTearsOfSorrow
Manichee Lyrics as written by Marc Okubo Maxwell D Schad
Lyrics © SUMERIAN MUSIC GROUP
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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First let's start with song's titles meaning - Manichee is an archaic term for Manichaean which is an adjective relating to Manichaeism - of or characterized by dualistic contrast or conflict between opposites. (Manichaeism taught an elaborate dualistic cosmology describing the struggle between a good, spiritual world of light, and an evil, material world of darkness.Through an ongoing process that takes place in human history, light is gradually removed from the world of matter and returned to the world of light, whence it came. Its beliefs were based on local Mesopotamian Gnostic and religious movements.)
I think this song inspired by Manichaeism is about the struggle in all of us to remain the best we can be despite facing the greatest of odds. To remain also spiritual & good even when surrounded or even taunted by evil (opposite forces). It's about never crumbling & being defeated no matter how tall the task may seem, always remaining centered & hopeful.