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 love you Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ I love you
Yes I do
I love you Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ I love you
Yes I do
And on the lazy days
The dogs dissolve and drain away
The world it goes
And all awaits
The day we are awaiting
Up and over
We go through the wave and undertow
I will float until I learn how to swim
Inside my mother in a garbage bin
Until I find myself again again
Up and over we go
Mouths open wide and spitting still
And I will spit until I learn how to speak
Up through the doorway as the sideboards creek
With them ever proclaiming me me oh
Up and over
We go the weight it sits on down and I don't know
I will shout until they know what I mean
I mean the marriage of a dead dog sing
And a synthetic flying machine machine
Oh-oohh-oh-oh
Oh-oohh-oh-oh
Oh-oohh-oh-oh
Oh-oohh-oh-oh
(Okay)
Jesus Christ I love you
Yes I do
I love you Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ I love you
Yes I do
And on the lazy days
The dogs dissolve and drain away
The world it goes
And all awaits
The day we are awaiting
Up and over
We go through the wave and undertow
I will float until I learn how to swim
Inside my mother in a garbage bin
Until I find myself again again
Up and over we go
Mouths open wide and spitting still
And I will spit until I learn how to speak
Up through the doorway as the sideboards creek
With them ever proclaiming me me oh
Up and over
We go the weight it sits on down and I don't know
I will shout until they know what I mean
I mean the marriage of a dead dog sing
And a synthetic flying machine machine
Oh-oohh-oh-oh
Oh-oohh-oh-oh
Oh-oohh-oh-oh
Oh-oohh-oh-oh
(Okay)
Lyrics submitted by PLANES, edited by coopigat, adngai, Mellow_Harsher
The King of Carrot Flowers, Pts. 2 & 3 Lyrics as written by Jeff Mangum
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
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The first lines are the most interesting thing about this song. I think its supposed to be taken both ways, as both a sort of blasphemous declaration of love and love for the almighty.