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.
"Abandoning the powers that gave them sight
Summoned to the altars of their loving gods"
Storming the walls, once built with pride
Swarming like rats away from the lights
Howling for justice, death in their eyes
Tearing down the pillars with monstrous hate
Forging the swords to slay their own kin
Screaming in triumph, burning inside
When the steps are fulfilled
We shall see a new dawn
When the dead world is gone
We shall rebuild the walls
When all the bricks from the morning
When they are once again found
We will emerge from the ashes
And rise from the ground
Summoned to the altars of their loving gods"
Storming the walls, once built with pride
Swarming like rats away from the lights
Howling for justice, death in their eyes
Tearing down the pillars with monstrous hate
Forging the swords to slay their own kin
Screaming in triumph, burning inside
When the steps are fulfilled
We shall see a new dawn
When the dead world is gone
We shall rebuild the walls
When all the bricks from the morning
When they are once again found
We will emerge from the ashes
And rise from the ground
Lyrics submitted by DreamingInTheÆther
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Ave Grave
Thee More Shallows
Thee More Shallows
Siberian Kiss
Glassjaw
Glassjaw
its amazing how far music can come.. 24 years after it released and its one of the most heartfelt songs ive heard
Spirit Within
Bertoldi Brothers
Bertoldi Brothers
Warren wanted a Beach Boys thing for this one, and Carl Wilson and Billy Hinsche came in, with Carl arranging the vocal parts. The other harmony vocalists (credited as the "Gentlemen Boys") were Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, Zevon's longtime backers Waddy Wachtel and Jorge Calderon, and Linda Rondstadt/Stone Poneys guitarist Kenny Edwards.
Show Me a Little Shame
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
He certainly did earn that reputation.
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Seems to be chronologically the song before the themes explored in "New Dawn". The themes carry on through to "New Dawn" ... in essence I believe these songs are dealing with the "ills" of society today and that a we are destroying what we hold so precious (without knowing). This inevitably will lead to the destruction of society as we know it and new society will take it's place. The band is hoping that this new dawn awakens us to our past mistakes.