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.
Now I turn into a lover on the side
I cannot tell the poet eye apart from mine
And now you see me with a tear fall on my right
I know, I know
You see me turn around and try to hide my sigh
I know the ancient melodies will come at night
I sing about my fear and love and what it brings
I know, I know
And then you push me out
And then you push me out
I know, I know
And then you disappear because you can't fight fear
I know, I know
I sit inside a box and try to find my thoughts
With cups upon my ears so I can shut it out
I see you listen to my body and say
I know, I know
I know it's hard to find out what I'm not
I know, I know
And here we are apart, but here together are
Our hearts that now beat for each other, although far
I hear your voice and I know what it calls
I know, I know
Hold on, hold on
I want you
Hold on, hold on
All I ever wanted was you
I cannot tell the poet eye apart from mine
And now you see me with a tear fall on my right
I know, I know
You see me turn around and try to hide my sigh
I know the ancient melodies will come at night
I sing about my fear and love and what it brings
I know, I know
And then you push me out
And then you push me out
I know, I know
And then you disappear because you can't fight fear
I know, I know
I sit inside a box and try to find my thoughts
With cups upon my ears so I can shut it out
I see you listen to my body and say
I know, I know
I know it's hard to find out what I'm not
I know, I know
And here we are apart, but here together are
Our hearts that now beat for each other, although far
I hear your voice and I know what it calls
I know, I know
Hold on, hold on
I want you
Hold on, hold on
All I ever wanted was you
Lyrics submitted by kstemz, edited by smallwonderrobot
I Know Lyrics as written by Sharon Van Etten
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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i know it's hard to find out what i'm not