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.
I'd say it was the right time
To walk away
When dreaming takes you nowhere
It's time to play
Bodies working overtime
Your money don't matter
The clock keeps ticking
When someone's on your mind
On your mind
I'm moving in slow motion
Feels so good
It's a strange anticipation
Knock, knock, knocking on wood
Bodies working overtime
Man against man
And all that ever matters
Is baby who's ahead in the game
Funny but it's always the same
Playing, playing with the boys
Staying, playing with the boys
After chasing sunsets
One of life's simple joys
Is playing with the boys
Said it was the wrong thing
For me to do
I said it's just a boys' game
Girls play too
My heart is working overtime
In this kind of game
People get hurt, I'm thinking of the people like me
If you want to find me, I'll be
Playing, playing with the boys
Staying, playing with the boys
After chasing sunsets
One of life's simple joys
I don't want to be the moth around your fire (with the boys)
I don't want to be obsessed by my desire
You're shining, You're smiliny
I've seen enough
With the boys
I've seen enough
You play too rough
Playing, playing with the boys
I'll be staying, playing with the boys (with the boys)
After chasing sunsets (sunsets)
One of life's simple joys
Is playing with the boys
Playing with the boys
Playing (playing with the boys)
Playing (playing with the boys)
Playing (playing with the boys)
Playing (playing with the boys)
To walk away
When dreaming takes you nowhere
It's time to play
Bodies working overtime
Your money don't matter
The clock keeps ticking
When someone's on your mind
On your mind
I'm moving in slow motion
Feels so good
It's a strange anticipation
Knock, knock, knocking on wood
Bodies working overtime
Man against man
And all that ever matters
Is baby who's ahead in the game
Funny but it's always the same
Playing, playing with the boys
Staying, playing with the boys
After chasing sunsets
One of life's simple joys
Is playing with the boys
Said it was the wrong thing
For me to do
I said it's just a boys' game
Girls play too
My heart is working overtime
In this kind of game
People get hurt, I'm thinking of the people like me
If you want to find me, I'll be
Playing, playing with the boys
Staying, playing with the boys
After chasing sunsets
One of life's simple joys
I don't want to be the moth around your fire (with the boys)
I don't want to be obsessed by my desire
You're shining, You're smiliny
I've seen enough
With the boys
I've seen enough
You play too rough
Playing, playing with the boys
I'll be staying, playing with the boys (with the boys)
After chasing sunsets (sunsets)
One of life's simple joys
Is playing with the boys
Playing with the boys
Playing (playing with the boys)
Playing (playing with the boys)
Playing (playing with the boys)
Playing (playing with the boys)
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The lyrics for this song are so far off base it's ridiculous.