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.
Bring on salvation
I have a way to find mine
I swallow light
And what if I move
Lapsing into failure
In the lowering night
In the lowering night
I had waited for you
Though I was certain you wouldn't come back
No
Into the after hours
Smudged my heart for all to see
But it's so quiet now
Makes it harder to shine
Had a dream about tomorrow
But with nothing more to think about
I fade out
Bring on sedation
I have waited a long time
And dragged myself a long way
There's a flight to Medellin
Twelve hours of drinking gin
Awakened by summer
Sever the ties
That were once unyielding
Packed my money
Under night's neon curtain
I have a way to find mine
I swallow light
And what if I move
Lapsing into failure
In the lowering night
In the lowering night
I had waited for you
Though I was certain you wouldn't come back
No
Into the after hours
Smudged my heart for all to see
But it's so quiet now
Makes it harder to shine
Had a dream about tomorrow
But with nothing more to think about
I fade out
Bring on sedation
I have waited a long time
And dragged myself a long way
There's a flight to Medellin
Twelve hours of drinking gin
Awakened by summer
Sever the ties
That were once unyielding
Packed my money
Under night's neon curtain
Lyrics submitted by cyruskh666
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One of my favorites off of The Fall Of Hearts. To me this song is clearly about love and loss (the fall of hearts). He had put his all into this relationship only to have it crumble at his feet (smudged my heart for all to see). He put himself out there and put his heart on the line and all for not. He now no longer has the one he wanted, she left and now he can't shine anymore for he is so depressed he is fading out. He's so lost and seeking salvation or an escape (Medellín - the capital of Colombia’s mountainous Antioquia province). Twelve hours drinking gin (looking for answers at the bottom of a bottle/ drinking away his pain). Trying to bring on sedation or find peace in any way he can, even if it's harmful to himself. Sever the ties That were once unyielding Packed my money Under night's neon curtain This last section of lyrics is him finally giving up, severing the ties from this person he so deeply loved, though the ties once were beyond binding and unyielding he must free himself fully (symbolically/ in essence - Packed my money Under night's neon curtain).