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've got a bike, you can ride it if you like
It's got a basket, a bell that rings and
Things to make it look good
I'd give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it
You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world
I'll give you anything, ev'rything if you want things
I've got a cloak, it's a bit of a joke
There's a tear up the front, it's red and black
I've had it for months
If you think it could look good, then I guess it should
You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world
I'll give you anything, ev'rything if you want things
I know a mouse, and he hasn't got a house
I don't know why I call him Gerald
He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse
You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world
I'll give you anything, ev'rything if you want things
I've got a clan of gingerbread men
Here a man, there a man, lots of gingerbread men
Take a couple if you wish, they're on the dish
You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world
I'll give you anything, ev'rything if you want things
I know a room full of musical tunes
Some rhyme, some ching, most of them are clockwork
Let's go into the other room and make them work
It's got a basket, a bell that rings and
Things to make it look good
I'd give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it
You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world
I'll give you anything, ev'rything if you want things
I've got a cloak, it's a bit of a joke
There's a tear up the front, it's red and black
I've had it for months
If you think it could look good, then I guess it should
You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world
I'll give you anything, ev'rything if you want things
I know a mouse, and he hasn't got a house
I don't know why I call him Gerald
He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse
You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world
I'll give you anything, ev'rything if you want things
I've got a clan of gingerbread men
Here a man, there a man, lots of gingerbread men
Take a couple if you wish, they're on the dish
You're the kind of girl that fits in with my world
I'll give you anything, ev'rything if you want things
I know a room full of musical tunes
Some rhyme, some ching, most of them are clockwork
Let's go into the other room and make them work
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae, edited by digitalmanMKII
Bike Lyrics as written by Syd Barrett
Lyrics © T.R.O. INC.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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not sure who said it earlier, doesn't look like anyone is talking about the meaning now anyhow...i think this song is clearly about a boy who has it really bad for a girl and he's willing to do anything for her but he keeps getting rejected...so he finally invites her into his "room of musical tunes" where they hav sex? he kills her? that's where his insanity kicks in...but, let's remember that it seems most of syd's songs are about being wronged by a girl, so i sometimes think the chaotic ending expresses his desire to kill her (tho i don't think he ever did)