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.
Childhood living
Is easy to do
The things you wanted
I bought them for you
Graceless lady
You know who I am
You know I can't let you
Slide through my hands
Wild horses
Couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses
Couldn't drag me away
I watched you suffer
A dull aching pain
Now you've decided
To show me the same
No sweeping exit
Or offstage lines
Could make me feel bitter
Or treat you unkind
Wild horses
Couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses
Couldn't drag me away
I know I've dreamed you
A sin and a lie
I have my freedom
But I don't have much time
Faith has been broken
Tears must be cried
Let's do some living
After we die
Wild horses
Couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses
We'll ride them some day
Wild horses
Couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses
We'll ride them some day
Is easy to do
The things you wanted
I bought them for you
Graceless lady
You know who I am
You know I can't let you
Slide through my hands
Wild horses
Couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses
Couldn't drag me away
I watched you suffer
A dull aching pain
Now you've decided
To show me the same
No sweeping exit
Or offstage lines
Could make me feel bitter
Or treat you unkind
Wild horses
Couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses
Couldn't drag me away
I know I've dreamed you
A sin and a lie
I have my freedom
But I don't have much time
Faith has been broken
Tears must be cried
Let's do some living
After we die
Wild horses
Couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses
We'll ride them some day
Wild horses
Couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses
We'll ride them some day
Lyrics submitted by spliphstar, edited by sinbeach, 3d1mandakng, glynnw
Wild Horses Lyrics as written by Mick Jagger Keith Richards
Lyrics © Abkco Music Inc.
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In which Keith/Mick try their hand at a country ballad...and absolutely knock one out of the park. Wild horses, couldn't drag me away. That phrase alone is golden. A tiny little phrase that evokes love and devotion and wide open plains and wild beauty all at the same time. Keef, yer really out did yerself with this one! A gift from heaven.
The verse lyrics don't really have quite the same effect on me as the chorus, at times they meanders. The best line is "know I can't let you slide through my hands" which really jives with the yearning vibe of the title phrase.
@tenementrock I don't know, to me the, "I watched you suffer," has more of an effect than the chorus itself. But whatever.
@tenementrock *...the, "I watched you suffer," verse