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.
Uh! Ya too rude!
Uh! Eh! Oh what a rat race!
Oh, what a rat race!
Oh, what a rat race!
This is the rat race! Rat race!
(Rat race!) (Rat race!)
Some a lawful, some a bastard, some a jacket
Oh, what a rat race, yeah!
Rat race!
Some a gorgon-a, some a hooligan-a, some a guine-gog-a
In this 'ere rat race, yeah!
Rat race!
I'm singin' that
When the cat's away
The mice will play
Political violence fill ya city, ye-ah!
Don't involve rasta in your say say
Rasta don't work for no CIA
Rat race
Rat race, rat race yeah!
Rat race, I'm sayin'
When you think is peace and safety
A sudden destruction
Collective security for surety, ye-ah!
Don't forget your history
Know your destiny
In the abundance of water
The fool is thirsty
Rat race
Rat race
Rat race
Rat race!
Oh, it's a disgrace
To see the human race
In a rat race, yeah
Rat race!
You got the horse race
You got the dog race
You got the human-race
But this is a rat race
Rat race!
Uh! Eh! Oh what a rat race!
Oh, what a rat race!
Oh, what a rat race!
This is the rat race! Rat race!
(Rat race!) (Rat race!)
Some a lawful, some a bastard, some a jacket
Oh, what a rat race, yeah!
Rat race!
Some a gorgon-a, some a hooligan-a, some a guine-gog-a
In this 'ere rat race, yeah!
Rat race!
I'm singin' that
When the cat's away
The mice will play
Political violence fill ya city, ye-ah!
Don't involve rasta in your say say
Rasta don't work for no CIA
Rat race
Rat race, rat race yeah!
Rat race, I'm sayin'
When you think is peace and safety
A sudden destruction
Collective security for surety, ye-ah!
Don't forget your history
Know your destiny
In the abundance of water
The fool is thirsty
Rat race
Rat race
Rat race
Rat race!
Oh, it's a disgrace
To see the human race
In a rat race, yeah
Rat race!
You got the horse race
You got the dog race
You got the human-race
But this is a rat race
Rat race!
Lyrics submitted by spliphstar
Rat Race Lyrics as written by Rita Marley
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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The song has much deeper meaning especially if you are someone who believes in the coming kingdom of God. The first verse addresses the leaders of military juntas and corrupt democracies, the ones some call the 3rd world. The line "when the cat is away, the mice will play" carried the same meaning as the verse in the book of revelations that call Christ "the prince of the kings of this world". All men in political power work for Him but as He is away at the moment they just act the way they please, acting like animals. Like rats in a rat race; fighting,killing,oppressing.
The second verse addresses the leaders of the so called developed world with their treaties and alliances and all the trappings the think guarantees their national security. The line "dont forget your history, know your destiny" is to remind them that all great and mighty empires of the past have fallen and if they will be honest with themselves their nations will fall too. It is far better to look forward and work for the coming kingdom of God that will last forever for "when they cry peace and safety a sudden destruction overtakes them"
It is a very deep song pointing all men to things greater than themselves.