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.
Oh Fathers and kinsmen
Yield in glorious bow,
for its springtime on Saturn
See the Archons gather
around the celestial crown
for the god of Saturn
Towards the liquid light
Like a swarm of lice
We stand tall,
for no more shall our souls
rattle the chains of Saklas
and the moon over Sabaoth
Where you are laid to rest,
a skeleton that was blessed
We found only Death
Oh gracious Mother
You're trapped here with us
in the darkness of Saturn
Hear the Archons whisper
in the shadows of fear
for the god of Saturn
Down comes the serpent rain
Of a god insane
We stand tall,
for no more shall our souls
rattle the chains of Saklas,
and the moon over Sabaoth
Where you are laid to rest -
a skeleton that was blessed
We found only Death
Let fires plummet
at the soundless dawn,
I am here to defend you
from the cold
(of) the Saturnian glow
Oh brothers sisters
Be brave and rise above
The moon over Sabaoth
We stand tall,
for no more shall our souls
rattle the chains of Saklas,
and the moon over Sabaoth
Where you are laid to rest -
a skeleton that was blessed
We found only Death
Yield in glorious bow,
for its springtime on Saturn
See the Archons gather
around the celestial crown
for the god of Saturn
Towards the liquid light
Like a swarm of lice
We stand tall,
for no more shall our souls
rattle the chains of Saklas
and the moon over Sabaoth
Where you are laid to rest,
a skeleton that was blessed
We found only Death
Oh gracious Mother
You're trapped here with us
in the darkness of Saturn
Hear the Archons whisper
in the shadows of fear
for the god of Saturn
Down comes the serpent rain
Of a god insane
We stand tall,
for no more shall our souls
rattle the chains of Saklas,
and the moon over Sabaoth
Where you are laid to rest -
a skeleton that was blessed
We found only Death
Let fires plummet
at the soundless dawn,
I am here to defend you
from the cold
(of) the Saturnian glow
Oh brothers sisters
Be brave and rise above
The moon over Sabaoth
We stand tall,
for no more shall our souls
rattle the chains of Saklas,
and the moon over Sabaoth
Where you are laid to rest -
a skeleton that was blessed
We found only Death
Lyrics submitted by EternalTearsOfSorrow
Moon over Sabaoth Lyrics as written by Anders Jacobsson Johan Ericson
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is a perspective song that crawls in towards its end destination while embracing the Gnostic philosophy more directly. This track, much like the album its on in general is an act of contemplation; About living and dying and remembering who we are in a strange, abrasive world far from home.