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.
The cold has reached the end of days
A bird in white sings of earth again
I'm all alone in this freezing land
My heart of stone saved with bleeding hands
I feel like I'm getting closer
To the end of all pain
And I feel like now I'm in closure
With me
Can you see it now?
No more ice in the mire
Can you live with this?
To worry each day
I know I've hurt, and I lied so
Much, I know I've been far from course
I know I've lied, but it all came to me, yeah
I feel like I'm getting closer
To the end of all pain
And I feel like now I'm in closure
Without me
I know there is nothing decided
But I know you'll believe in what I say
You don't belong in this darkness
I'll take us down
Follow the white bird, she'll show you
Now go, you've stayed here for too long
A bird in white sings of earth again
I'm all alone in this freezing land
My heart of stone saved with bleeding hands
I feel like I'm getting closer
To the end of all pain
And I feel like now I'm in closure
With me
Can you see it now?
No more ice in the mire
Can you live with this?
To worry each day
I know I've hurt, and I lied so
Much, I know I've been far from course
I know I've lied, but it all came to me, yeah
I feel like I'm getting closer
To the end of all pain
And I feel like now I'm in closure
Without me
I know there is nothing decided
But I know you'll believe in what I say
You don't belong in this darkness
I'll take us down
Follow the white bird, she'll show you
Now go, you've stayed here for too long
Lyrics submitted by EternalTearsOfSorrow
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In the darkest of times this is when we struggle hardest to find the light but it is then when we must see beyond the plight.