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.
Broken down
Grab a hold of my hand
Cleanse yourself
Now set yourself free
Broken
Self-defeated
Lost
You've got to give yourself some discipline
Fuck yeah
Raise your fist in the air, drug free
Raise your fist in the air, drug free
Cleanse yourself
You don't need it, despite what you may think
It's in your head
It's in your head
It's in your head
It's in your fucking head
It's in your head
Now raise your fist in the air, drug free
Raise your fist in the air, drug free
Raise your fist in the air, drug free
Raise your fist in the air, drug free
Raise your fist in the air, drug free
Raise your fist in the air, drug free
Raise your fist in the air, drug free
Raise your fist in the air, drug free
Cleanse yourself
You don't need it, despite what they may think
Cleanse yourself
You don't need it, despite what you may think
Now set yourself free
Now set yourself free
Come on
Cleanse yourself
You don't need it, despite what you may think
Cleanse yourself
You don't need it, despite what they may think
Let's go
Now set yourself free
Free
Set yourself free
Grab a hold of my hand
Cleanse yourself
Now set yourself free
Broken
Self-defeated
Lost
You've got to give yourself some discipline
Fuck yeah
Raise your fist in the air, drug free
Raise your fist in the air, drug free
Cleanse yourself
You don't need it, despite what you may think
It's in your head
It's in your head
It's in your head
It's in your fucking head
It's in your head
Now raise your fist in the air, drug free
Raise your fist in the air, drug free
Raise your fist in the air, drug free
Raise your fist in the air, drug free
Raise your fist in the air, drug free
Raise your fist in the air, drug free
Raise your fist in the air, drug free
Raise your fist in the air, drug free
Cleanse yourself
You don't need it, despite what they may think
Cleanse yourself
You don't need it, despite what you may think
Now set yourself free
Now set yourself free
Come on
Cleanse yourself
You don't need it, despite what you may think
Cleanse yourself
You don't need it, despite what they may think
Let's go
Now set yourself free
Free
Set yourself free
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Out of 50 comments no one really has tackled the meaning of the song. Yes it is quite straight forward and literal.
I think the song is not so much about being straight edge per se, as the song seems to suggest it is sung to someone who is struggling with drug use. The narrator is encouraging a person to stop doing drugs. Although the lyrics over simplify the ease to get off drugs (as many addicts have underlying issues why they do drugs and simply saying "You've got to give yourself some discipline" is a pointless argument).
Similarly the line "You don't need it, despite what they may think" over simplifies the issue too. As again situations, environmental conditions, etc. etc. can create viscous cycles for users / abusers.
Overall I really enjoy the song, and it is probably a good anthem for recreational / party users (not abusers or addicts) in that the message is you can have a good time without the need for drugs (assuming including alcohol under that moniker too).