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 will wade out
Till my thighs
Are steeped
In burning flowers
I will take the sun
In my mouth
And leap into
The ripe air
Alive with closed eyes
To dash
Against darkness
In the sleeping curves
Of my body
I shall enter
Fingers
Of smooth mastery
With chasteness
Of sea-girls
Will I complete
The mystery
Of my flesh
Will I
Complete
The mystery
Of my flesh
My flesh
Till my thighs
Are steeped
In burning flowers
I will take the sun
In my mouth
And leap into
The ripe air
Alive with closed eyes
To dash
Against darkness
In the sleeping curves
Of my body
I shall enter
Fingers
Of smooth mastery
With chasteness
Of sea-girls
Will I complete
The mystery
Of my flesh
Will I
Complete
The mystery
Of my flesh
My flesh
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No clue what this song means. I doubt even Bjork knows;)