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.
[Maxi Jazz]
If you place a thing into the center of your life
That lacks the power to nourish
It will eventually poison everything that you are
And destroy you
A simple a thing as an idea
Or your perspective on yourself of the world
No one can be the source of your contempt,
It lies within, in the center.
Only with mellow while your thin enough to slide through
Only with mellow while your thin enough to slide through
Don't let nothing ride you.
If the sun or the moon should keel away to die,
They would immediately go out .
One.
Swallow don't make a sound,
But tomorrow has to start somewhere.
Newspapers entertain,
Lion Tamers die in pain
This Child wise beyond words
Whose tears flow without seize
Newspapers entertain,
Lion Tamers die in pain
This child wise beyond words
Whose tears flow without seize
[Zoë]
When there's no where, left to run to
Let me come to you, let me help you down
For when the world, gives you tomorrow
Your gonna learn to live again
we can learn to go,
oh learn as we go
Just to live, for the day
I know it's hard, to live for the moment
Just try, anyway
[Maxi Jazz]
Newspapers, Lion Tamers, This Child,
Lion Tamers, Lion Tamers
If you place a thing into the center of your life
That lacks the power to nourish
It will eventually poison everything that you are
And destroy you
A simple a thing as an idea
Or your perspective on yourself of the world
No one can be the source of your contempt,
It lies within, in the center.
Only with mellow while your thin enough to slide through
Only with mellow while your thin enough to slide through
Don't let nothing ride you.
If the sun or the moon should keel away to die,
They would immediately go out .
One.
Swallow don't make a sound,
But tomorrow has to start somewhere.
Newspapers entertain,
Lion Tamers die in pain
This Child wise beyond words
Whose tears flow without seize
Newspapers entertain,
Lion Tamers die in pain
This child wise beyond words
Whose tears flow without seize
[Zoë]
When there's no where, left to run to
Let me come to you, let me help you down
For when the world, gives you tomorrow
Your gonna learn to live again
we can learn to go,
oh learn as we go
Just to live, for the day
I know it's hard, to live for the moment
Just try, anyway
[Maxi Jazz]
Newspapers, Lion Tamers, This Child,
Lion Tamers, Lion Tamers
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Maxi Jazz has an incredible world view and is very intimate with his soul, which comes out in his lyrics. this song is an excellent example of his spirituality and wisdom.