I’m with TOOLrule3.
Lets say this song is about a man who was abused as a kid reliving the old pain in the presence of, and in connection (" I am too connected...."),to his son (‘H.’ — Devo Keenan’s middle name); a perfect projection of himself. His well-meaning defenses (the snake) desperately persuade him to avoid the relationship and the subsequent terror, rage, and pain associated. His son ("my blood before me"), in total opposition to the snake's motivation, desperately seeks connection ("...begs me to open up my heart again").
Both forces mean well for there own reasons and for their own protection, yet one caught between those motivations would be ripped apart inside (“they’re both totally void of hate and killing me just the same” “I feel this coming over like a storm again”). The only way out is through. You would have to let go of your old defenses and let them sink to the bottom of the pain they’re in place to dam (“as the snake is drowned and there’s a look in his eyes my fear begins to fade recalling all of the times I could have cried…”) It’s as close to death as one can come to in a conscious state. He emerges on the other side; anew and reborn - almost a considerate killing.
I’m with TOOLrule3. Lets say this song is about a man who was abused as a kid reliving the old pain in the presence of, and in connection (" I am too connected...."),to his son (‘H.’ — Devo Keenan’s middle name); a perfect projection of himself. His well-meaning defenses (the snake) desperately persuade him to avoid the relationship and the subsequent terror, rage, and pain associated. His son ("my blood before me"), in total opposition to the snake's motivation, desperately seeks connection ("...begs me to open up my heart again").
Both forces mean well for there own reasons and for their own protection, yet one caught between those motivations would be ripped apart inside (“they’re both totally void of hate and killing me just the same” “I feel this coming over like a storm again”). The only way out is through. You would have to let go of your old defenses and let them sink to the bottom of the pain they’re in place to dam (“as the snake is drowned and there’s a look in his eyes my fear begins to fade recalling all of the times I could have cried…”) It’s as close to death as one can come to in a conscious state. He emerges on the other side; anew and reborn - almost a considerate killing.
[Edit: StsX]