The narrator of this song is deluded. He is a pathetic, narcissistic character who, seemingly in reaction to some criticism, derision, or perceived slight, is bombastically reaffirming his greatness.
The song is entirely from his own point of view -- we don't get to hear an external opinion. What we do get is a litany of affirmations about the narrator's own heaven-declared greatness, without any discussion of merit or background on why these things are true.
Within that litany, the things that he chooses to mention (and affirm) are specific and, as such, give us insight into what the narrator feels necessary to rebut. "Mother please be proud / Father be forgiven" tells us that he's expecting pushback or friction from his family.
In his self-aggrandizing way, he dismisses them melodramatically gently, as if they could not possibly be privy to the information he is privy to. He even goes so far as to paraphrase (or bastardize) the quote of Jesus on the cross ("Father forgive them, they know not what they do") in comic inversion.
In fact, there are other examples of self-delusion wherein the narrator visualizes himself messianically: rays of light shining down on him; the heavens at his birth; the complete non sequitur of "all [his] sins being pardoned".
Within his mind, at "the end" he believes his detractors will likely receive their cosmic comeuppance -- "And as I take my final bow / Was there ever any doubt?" -- following it up with a pointed jab at the philistines that ostensibly could never understand him: "And you're escorted through the foyer / You will resume your callow ways".
The song ends gradually with the narrator's reverie crashing down around him amidst what sounds like the jeering shouts and abuse of .. other schoolchildren (?) around him. No wonder he'd want a fantasy world.
I feel a little bad for the people talking about how this song defines them. Yikes.
Additionally, he says, "I was meant for derision." That sounds a bit too truthful. But I think it does support my theory, as he was derided as King of the Jews.
Additionally, he says, "I was meant for derision." That sounds a bit too truthful. But I think it does support my theory, as he was derided as King of the Jews.
Colin is a firm atheist by my understanding. And aside from that I .. don't know how the song could be about Jesus Christ in such a literal way if you also agree that the character is deluded, pathetic, and narcissistic. This song is about a weenie -- a mortal weenie! -- and his pompous self-aggrandizing.
Colin is a firm atheist by my understanding. And aside from that I .. don't know how the song could be about Jesus Christ in such a literal way if you also agree that the character is deluded, pathetic, and narcissistic. This song is about a weenie -- a mortal weenie! -- and his pompous self-aggrandizing.
The narrator of this song is deluded. He is a pathetic, narcissistic character who, seemingly in reaction to some criticism, derision, or perceived slight, is bombastically reaffirming his greatness.
The song is entirely from his own point of view -- we don't get to hear an external opinion. What we do get is a litany of affirmations about the narrator's own heaven-declared greatness, without any discussion of merit or background on why these things are true.
Within that litany, the things that he chooses to mention (and affirm) are specific and, as such, give us insight into what the narrator feels necessary to rebut. "Mother please be proud / Father be forgiven" tells us that he's expecting pushback or friction from his family.
In his self-aggrandizing way, he dismisses them melodramatically gently, as if they could not possibly be privy to the information he is privy to. He even goes so far as to paraphrase (or bastardize) the quote of Jesus on the cross ("Father forgive them, they know not what they do") in comic inversion.
In fact, there are other examples of self-delusion wherein the narrator visualizes himself messianically: rays of light shining down on him; the heavens at his birth; the complete non sequitur of "all [his] sins being pardoned".
Within his mind, at "the end" he believes his detractors will likely receive their cosmic comeuppance -- "And as I take my final bow / Was there ever any doubt?" -- following it up with a pointed jab at the philistines that ostensibly could never understand him: "And you're escorted through the foyer / You will resume your callow ways".
The song ends gradually with the narrator's reverie crashing down around him amidst what sounds like the jeering shouts and abuse of .. other schoolchildren (?) around him. No wonder he'd want a fantasy world.
I feel a little bad for the people talking about how this song defines them. Yikes.
I agree with you, except that I think this song is about Jesus Christ, himself. His sins were pardoned at his birth and so did not have Original Sin.
I agree with you, except that I think this song is about Jesus Christ, himself. His sins were pardoned at his birth and so did not have Original Sin.
Additionally, he says, "I was meant for derision." That sounds a bit too truthful. But I think it does support my theory, as he was derided as King of the Jews.
Additionally, he says, "I was meant for derision." That sounds a bit too truthful. But I think it does support my theory, as he was derided as King of the Jews.
Colin is a firm atheist by my understanding. And aside from that I .. don't know how the song could be about Jesus Christ in such a literal way if you also agree that the character is deluded, pathetic, and narcissistic. This song is about a weenie -- a mortal weenie! -- and his pompous self-aggrandizing.
Colin is a firm atheist by my understanding. And aside from that I .. don't know how the song could be about Jesus Christ in such a literal way if you also agree that the character is deluded, pathetic, and narcissistic. This song is about a weenie -- a mortal weenie! -- and his pompous self-aggrandizing.
Exactly. Colin is an atheist, and this is his take on Jesus Christ: he was a deluded, pathetic, narcissistic weenie.
Exactly. Colin is an atheist, and this is his take on Jesus Christ: he was a deluded, pathetic, narcissistic weenie.