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.
He got lucky, got lucky one time
Hitting with the girl in room 509
She turned her back on him, facing the frame
Said, "Listen Joe, don't you come here again"
White sun scattered all over the sea
He could think of nothing but her name, Elise
God is the sweat running down his back
The water soaked her blonde hair black
It's a perfect day
A perfect day, Elise
He got burned by the sun (he's a lucky man)
His face so pale and his hands so worn (and the sky)
Let himself in room 509 (as she turned away)
Said a prayer, pulled the trigger and cried (tell me why)
It's a perfect day
A perfect day, Elise
It's a perfect day
A perfect day, Elise
Hitting with the girl in room 509
She turned her back on him, facing the frame
Said, "Listen Joe, don't you come here again"
White sun scattered all over the sea
He could think of nothing but her name, Elise
God is the sweat running down his back
The water soaked her blonde hair black
It's a perfect day
A perfect day, Elise
He got burned by the sun (he's a lucky man)
His face so pale and his hands so worn (and the sky)
Let himself in room 509 (as she turned away)
Said a prayer, pulled the trigger and cried (tell me why)
It's a perfect day
A perfect day, Elise
It's a perfect day
A perfect day, Elise
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Correct|full lyrics:
He got, he got lucky one time, Hitting with the girl in room 509. She turned her back on her facing the frame, Said, 'Listen Joe, don't you come here again.'
White sun scattered all over the sea, He could think of nothing but her name, 'Elise.' God is the sweat running down his back. Hm. The water soaked her blonde hair black.
It's a perfect day, A perfect day, Elise.
He got burned by the sun; (He's a lucky man) His face so pale and his hands so warm; (In the sky) Let himself in room 509; (As he turns away) Said a prayer, pulled the trigger and cried. (Just tell me why)
"It's a perfect day, A perfect day, Elise."
It's a perfect day, A perfect day, Elise.
This is my favorite Polly song ever since 1998. Hands down.
Nearly 6 years later, and they STILL haven't corrected the lyrics.