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.
What is a man that stays true to the game
But has to cheat a little to get by
Well that's a person that I know too well
Don't want to know but I don't have to ask why
Everyone like a loaded gun
You want some shit I'll fuckin' pound you, son
Don't need a reason, pain I'm feelin'
I gotta vent or else I blow inside
Introspection, termination
Can't tell right from wrong
Fed up with this whole system
It's gone on far too long
You tell a thousand lies been told a thousand times
Your words we hear but we cannot sympathize
Thousand lies been told a thousand times
Hard as nails the power to survive
What's a man that stays true to the game
But can't believe some of the things he sees
Anger's a gift and I won't be kept down
In poverty there is no democracy
Used needle and a crack vile
A broken bottle and a bullet shell
This urban life is so volatile
An inner city or a concrete hell
Introspection, termination
Can't tell right from wrong
Fed up with this whole system
It's gone on far too long
You tell a thousand lies been told a thousand times
Your words we hear but we cannot sympathize
Thousand lies been told a thousand times
Hard as nails the power to survive
So pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, get up
What is a man don't stay true to the game
Don't care for no one, only cares for his greed
He's playin' God killin' thousands of people
'Cause the power is the fix that he needs
Racist goal of the white devil
I watched our soul burnin' over oil
A politician got no feelin'
It makes my motherfuckin' cold blood boil
Introspection, termination
Can't tell right from wrong
Fed up with this whole system
It's gone on far too long
You tell a thousand lies been told a thousand times
Your words we hear but we cannot sympathize
Thousand lies been told a thousand times
Hard as nails the power to survive
Slow
Slow
Slow
But has to cheat a little to get by
Well that's a person that I know too well
Don't want to know but I don't have to ask why
Everyone like a loaded gun
You want some shit I'll fuckin' pound you, son
Don't need a reason, pain I'm feelin'
I gotta vent or else I blow inside
Introspection, termination
Can't tell right from wrong
Fed up with this whole system
It's gone on far too long
You tell a thousand lies been told a thousand times
Your words we hear but we cannot sympathize
Thousand lies been told a thousand times
Hard as nails the power to survive
What's a man that stays true to the game
But can't believe some of the things he sees
Anger's a gift and I won't be kept down
In poverty there is no democracy
Used needle and a crack vile
A broken bottle and a bullet shell
This urban life is so volatile
An inner city or a concrete hell
Introspection, termination
Can't tell right from wrong
Fed up with this whole system
It's gone on far too long
You tell a thousand lies been told a thousand times
Your words we hear but we cannot sympathize
Thousand lies been told a thousand times
Hard as nails the power to survive
So pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, get up
What is a man don't stay true to the game
Don't care for no one, only cares for his greed
He's playin' God killin' thousands of people
'Cause the power is the fix that he needs
Racist goal of the white devil
I watched our soul burnin' over oil
A politician got no feelin'
It makes my motherfuckin' cold blood boil
Introspection, termination
Can't tell right from wrong
Fed up with this whole system
It's gone on far too long
You tell a thousand lies been told a thousand times
Your words we hear but we cannot sympathize
Thousand lies been told a thousand times
Hard as nails the power to survive
Slow
Slow
Slow
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I don't think this song will ever lose it's relevance ... we are fed lies everyday, and we either chose to swallow them or take a stand.
I suppose the choice is yours?