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.
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I think that this song is about more than just a woman who is cheating on her husband. Yes, she is lying to her husband, and it's obvious; but she is also lying to herself. She tries to tell herself that she is happy, first that the rich old man makes her happy, and then that having an affair makes her happy. But she's "still the same old girl you used to be" and she can't deny to herself that she is disappointed with what her life has become.
Thanks for your comment. <br /> Was listening to this song on radio today. I was captivated. It left me with unanswered questions. So sought out the Web to understand I then remembered that I recently read a wonderful novel by Emily Giffin called "Where we belong". Its a story certainly goes along the same lines. Very touching.
@psyche EXACTLY RIGHT! She pours herself a tall one and lies to herself. Can't be faithful to her husband or her lover or her own lying self. The song is a work of genius. Tragedy. <br />