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.
I see your need, your greed, your disease
You'd crush the world just to hold it in your hand
So take your place in the kingdom you crave
You'll destroy it all 'till there's nothing left to save
I see the world burn in your eyes
I see the world burn in your eyes
Scorch the earth tonight
Bring the world down to its knees
Smash open the sky
Fire falling down like rain
Down your kingdom crashes
All alone in your empire of ashes
Who's gonna save a soul that never had a heart?
So you can say your prayers, it won't redeem the past
Bury the truth 'till the earth begins to break
You'll destroy them all 'till there's no one left to hate
I see the world burn in your eyes
(I watch you justify)
I see the world burn in your eyes
(All who die)
Scorch the earth tonight
Bring the world down to its knees
Smash open the sky
Fire falling down like rain
Down your kingdom crashes
All alone in your empire of ashes
Tell me now, do you feel the weight
Of your crown, of all the lives you take?
Was it worth the price they paid
To sit alone and watch your throne decay?
You'd crush the world just to hold it in your hand
So take your place in the kingdom you crave
You'll destroy it all 'till there's nothing left to save
I see the world burn in your eyes
I see the world burn in your eyes
Scorch the earth tonight
Bring the world down to its knees
Smash open the sky
Fire falling down like rain
Down your kingdom crashes
All alone in your empire of ashes
Who's gonna save a soul that never had a heart?
So you can say your prayers, it won't redeem the past
Bury the truth 'till the earth begins to break
You'll destroy them all 'till there's no one left to hate
I see the world burn in your eyes
(I watch you justify)
I see the world burn in your eyes
(All who die)
Scorch the earth tonight
Bring the world down to its knees
Smash open the sky
Fire falling down like rain
Down your kingdom crashes
All alone in your empire of ashes
Tell me now, do you feel the weight
Of your crown, of all the lives you take?
Was it worth the price they paid
To sit alone and watch your throne decay?
Lyrics submitted by EternalTearsOfSorrow
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Sad to realize that humans as a whole seem to desire this future. It's almost as if somehow subconsciously people are wanting some sort of apocalypse - or at least there actions aren't deterring one from occurring. I think this song is a like a foreshadowing or a warning of this and the possible aftermath if it were to become a reality.