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.
Billy, he's down by the railroad tracks
Sittin' low in the back seat of his Cadillac
And Diamond Jackie, oh, she's so intact
As she falls so softly beneath him
Jackie's heels are static
Billy's got cleats on his boots
Together they're gonna boogaloo down Broadway and come back home with the news
Yeah, it's midnight in Manhattan, this ain't no time to get cute
It's a mad dog's promenade, so walk tall
Or, baby, don't walk at all
Fish lady, fish lady, fish lady, she breaks down them tenement walls
Won't take corner boys, ain't got no money and they're so easy
I say, "Hey there, baby, won't you take my hand, move with me down Broadway
I say, "Mama, won't you take my arm and move with me, move with me down Broadway"
I'm a young man, I talk it real loud
I say a young man, I'm gonna walk it really proud for ya
So shake it away
Shake away the city life
Shake away the street life
And hook up to the train
Hook up to the night train
Ah, hook up to the train
But I know that she won't take the train, no, she won't take the train
She won't take the train, no, she won't take the train
She won't take the train, no, she won't take the train
She won't take the train, no, she won't take the train
She's afraid them tracks are gonna slow her down
And when she turns, this boy'll be gone
So long
Sometimes, you gotta walk on
Hey, jazz man
Hey, vibes man
Won't you sing me a serenade
In the deeper blue, you'll be playin' in your parade
So save your notes, don't y'spend 'em on the blues, boys
Yeah, save your notes, don't spend 'em on the darlin' so long
Straight for the church note ringin'
Vibes man, sting a trash can
Listen to your junk man
Ah, listen to your junk man
Ah, listen to your junk man
Ah, listen to your junk man
He's singin'
He's singin'
He's singin'
He's singin'
He's singin'
Singin'
He's singin'
He's singin'
Sittin' low in the back seat of his Cadillac
And Diamond Jackie, oh, she's so intact
As she falls so softly beneath him
Jackie's heels are static
Billy's got cleats on his boots
Together they're gonna boogaloo down Broadway and come back home with the news
Yeah, it's midnight in Manhattan, this ain't no time to get cute
It's a mad dog's promenade, so walk tall
Or, baby, don't walk at all
Fish lady, fish lady, fish lady, she breaks down them tenement walls
Won't take corner boys, ain't got no money and they're so easy
I say, "Hey there, baby, won't you take my hand, move with me down Broadway
I say, "Mama, won't you take my arm and move with me, move with me down Broadway"
I'm a young man, I talk it real loud
I say a young man, I'm gonna walk it really proud for ya
So shake it away
Shake away the city life
Shake away the street life
And hook up to the train
Hook up to the night train
Ah, hook up to the train
But I know that she won't take the train, no, she won't take the train
She won't take the train, no, she won't take the train
She won't take the train, no, she won't take the train
She won't take the train, no, she won't take the train
She's afraid them tracks are gonna slow her down
And when she turns, this boy'll be gone
So long
Sometimes, you gotta walk on
Hey, jazz man
Hey, vibes man
Won't you sing me a serenade
In the deeper blue, you'll be playin' in your parade
So save your notes, don't y'spend 'em on the blues, boys
Yeah, save your notes, don't spend 'em on the darlin' so long
Straight for the church note ringin'
Vibes man, sting a trash can
Listen to your junk man
Ah, listen to your junk man
Ah, listen to your junk man
Ah, listen to your junk man
He's singin'
He's singin'
He's singin'
He's singin'
He's singin'
Singin'
He's singin'
He's singin'
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
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Wow no comments on this song!!! Pete did a fantastic cover of this Bruce classic. I love Bruce. Seen him in concert 19 times. He is one of the greatest American songwriters ever. But Pete really sings the hell out of this song. Strips it down with just an acoustic guitar and a harmonica and delivers a haunting vocal. Dare I say the I even like Pete's version better than Bruce's? He sang like a true Jersey boy would.
Hearing Pete sing this one made me seek out his original material. Loved musicforthemorningafter. If you haven't heard Pete's NYC serenade you should seek it out. It is simply fantastic!
If you haven't heard Pete's NYC s