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.
Come on confess with confusion... spread it around
They trickle down your cheek...tears fall like seed on barren ground
Your thoughts are scattered like paper everywhere
Tiny piece of laughter and despair
But you cry true tears of joy
Passion is your weakness but you feed it everyday
Like a moth to the naked flame... you just can't keep away
You twist the truth and you turn the other cheek
But everybody knows it's just salvation that you seek
And you cry true tears of joy
Yeh you cry true tears of joy... oh yeah, alright
It flickers on your face
I can see it in your eyes
I knew for you a moment
So don't be so surprised
It's only pleasure that you can't resist
But say one word of truth and I'll see you cry
True tears of joy
Yeah you cry true tears of joy
[repeat]
They trickle down your cheek...tears fall like seed on barren ground
Your thoughts are scattered like paper everywhere
Tiny piece of laughter and despair
But you cry true tears of joy
Passion is your weakness but you feed it everyday
Like a moth to the naked flame... you just can't keep away
You twist the truth and you turn the other cheek
But everybody knows it's just salvation that you seek
And you cry true tears of joy
Yeh you cry true tears of joy... oh yeah, alright
It flickers on your face
I can see it in your eyes
I knew for you a moment
So don't be so surprised
It's only pleasure that you can't resist
But say one word of truth and I'll see you cry
True tears of joy
Yeah you cry true tears of joy
[repeat]
Lyrics submitted by SugarPlumFairy1
True Tears of Joy Lyrics as written by Douglas James Falconer Barry John Joseph Palmer
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Beautiful song. I'm not sure what it means, but god is it nice to listen to! :)