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.
It's not meant to be a strife
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
It's not meant to be a strife
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
You're trying too hard
Surrender
Give yourself in
You're trying too hard
You're trying too hard
It's not meant to be a strife
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
Sweetly
It's not meant to be a strife
To enjoy
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
It's warmer now lean into it
Unfold in a generous way
Surrender
Surrender
Undo
Undo
It's not meant to be a strife
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
I'm praying
To be
In a generous mode
The kindness kind
The kindness kind
To share me
Quietly ecstatic
It's not meant to be a strife
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
Undo
Undo if you're bleeding
Undo if you're sweating
Undo if you're crying
Undo
Undo
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
It's not meant to be a strife
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
You're trying too hard
Surrender
Give yourself in
You're trying too hard
You're trying too hard
It's not meant to be a strife
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
Sweetly
It's not meant to be a strife
To enjoy
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
It's warmer now lean into it
Unfold in a generous way
Surrender
Surrender
Undo
Undo
It's not meant to be a strife
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
I'm praying
To be
In a generous mode
The kindness kind
The kindness kind
To share me
Quietly ecstatic
It's not meant to be a strife
It's not meant to be a struggle uphill
Undo
Undo if you're bleeding
Undo if you're sweating
Undo if you're crying
Undo
Undo
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it wold heal any of your wounds!