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 was wrong and I'm ashamed
A twisting of fate had scuttled in
And poisoned me
(The life I chose) it cost me dear
I'm imprisoned by the truth
Confronting seems the only way to lose
(Well, I can't believe it no matter what I want)
(There's ways to carry on)
Will you draw your fatal lines
Up to the sky and cut through the clouds?
And you call this a celebration
As the lies flow from your mouth
I had a choice to treat the pain
I removed every trace of all that remained
(Time helps you stand alone)
I narrate my script then hide it in this grave
(I interfere with external sound)
(From the jealous and the fools)
And it seems to me the only way to lose
Will you draw your fatal lines
Up to the sky and cut through the clouds?
And you call this a celebration
As the lies flow from your mouth
With the nails removed
I'm still alive with infected wounds
I'm still in love but it feels too soon
We were born to die
It's a dangerous world
Suffocates and burns
A twisting of fate had scuttled in
And poisoned me
(The life I chose) it cost me dear
I'm imprisoned by the truth
Confronting seems the only way to lose
(Well, I can't believe it no matter what I want)
(There's ways to carry on)
Will you draw your fatal lines
Up to the sky and cut through the clouds?
And you call this a celebration
As the lies flow from your mouth
I had a choice to treat the pain
I removed every trace of all that remained
(Time helps you stand alone)
I narrate my script then hide it in this grave
(I interfere with external sound)
(From the jealous and the fools)
And it seems to me the only way to lose
Will you draw your fatal lines
Up to the sky and cut through the clouds?
And you call this a celebration
As the lies flow from your mouth
With the nails removed
I'm still alive with infected wounds
I'm still in love but it feels too soon
We were born to die
It's a dangerous world
Suffocates and burns
Lyrics submitted by EternalTearsOfSorrow
Echoes [Radio Edit] Lyrics as written by Acle Kahney Katherine Ellen Marsh
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Frontman Daniel Tompkins says, "The concept of "Echoes" is based around one of our main characters, 'El' and 'The Scribe.' They play a major part in the concept and game as The Scribe is a splintered part of El's ego that has the ability to control destiny and rewrite the past."
He continues, "This has always been a hard-hitting song and it adds a real dynamic to the album. As a stand-alone track, it exudes feelings from the heights of euphoria but also the depths of desperation. There's a real sense of frustration and regret throughout, especially as the song climaxes with its brutal admission."