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 made sure, my dear
I made sure of it, my dear
Made sure of the life we'd be living here
While you thought I was VULNERABLE and WEAK
I made sure they'd never again speak!
A drop was all it took, a drop ever so sweet
And down they FELL, their fate to meet
You see, my dear, you were always my favorite
So I made sure, I MADE SURE they would savor it
For no matter what crimes were revealed
Every man deserves a final meal
Burn it, BURN IT all down
So at last we will see the sky
Burn it, BURN IT to the ground
So at last you will know
YOU WILL KNOW WHY
I will keep you safe
I will show you the way
They treated me like the SCUM of the Earth
While dear old Mother questioned why she gave birth
You see, I really wasn't given a choice
I had to give my thoughts a LITERAL voice
Come out to meet me by the tree
I'll give your eyes so much more to see
Burn it... burn it all down
Burn it, BURN IT all down
So at last we will see the sky
Burn it, BURN IT to the ground
So at last you will know
YOU WILL KNOW WHY
I made sure of it, my dear
Made sure of the life we'd be living here
While you thought I was VULNERABLE and WEAK
I made sure they'd never again speak!
A drop was all it took, a drop ever so sweet
And down they FELL, their fate to meet
You see, my dear, you were always my favorite
So I made sure, I MADE SURE they would savor it
For no matter what crimes were revealed
Every man deserves a final meal
Burn it, BURN IT all down
So at last we will see the sky
Burn it, BURN IT to the ground
So at last you will know
YOU WILL KNOW WHY
I will keep you safe
I will show you the way
They treated me like the SCUM of the Earth
While dear old Mother questioned why she gave birth
You see, I really wasn't given a choice
I had to give my thoughts a LITERAL voice
Come out to meet me by the tree
I'll give your eyes so much more to see
Burn it... burn it all down
Burn it, BURN IT all down
So at last we will see the sky
Burn it, BURN IT to the ground
So at last you will know
YOU WILL KNOW WHY
Lyrics submitted by EternalTearsOfSorrow
Burn It All Down Lyrics as written by Daniel Marino Chris Kells
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think this is about setting ablaze any remnants of a toxic past while brazenly embracing the next chapter (come what may) in all its glory.