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.
Blackbird, blackbird - what have you done?
Under the moon, old smoking gun
Silhouette of thin boys and girls
That disappear into the underworld
Pale moon in the land of loss
Paper thin are the doors of loss
I've been looking for remedies
I have looked for some sympathy
Stillborn in the land of loss
Lost within or without a cross
As she comes and take you away
The night is cold and everlasting
Orchestrator of chaos and dismay
Hollow the halo - and empty the laughter
Under the moon, old smoking gun
Silhouette of thin boys and girls
That disappear into the underworld
Pale moon in the land of loss
Paper thin are the doors of loss
I've been looking for remedies
I have looked for some sympathy
Stillborn in the land of loss
Lost within or without a cross
As she comes and take you away
The night is cold and everlasting
Orchestrator of chaos and dismay
Hollow the halo - and empty the laughter
Lyrics submitted by EternalTearsOfSorrow
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I think this has to do with the dark hand of death taking the youth too soon. Whether it be from drugs, street violence, starvation or even suicide.