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.
Up jumped Jack on the railroad track
Said "I've got to get out of town"
"It's been really nice knowing you"
"Hope to see you around"
Oh the boy he could boogie
Oh the boy can kick a ball
But the boy he got hung up
Smooching in the stalls
You've got to give a little love
To those who love to live
You've got to take a little hate
From those who have to wait
Up jumped John putting his trousers on
Saying "I've got to get out of here"
"Hear your lover's footsteps"
"They're coming to near for me my dear"
Oh the boy he could boogie
Oh the boy can kick a ball
But the boy he got hung up
Making love against the wall
You've got to give a little love
To those who love to live
You've got to take a little hate
From those who have to wait
Said "I've got to get out of town"
"It's been really nice knowing you"
"Hope to see you around"
Oh the boy he could boogie
Oh the boy can kick a ball
But the boy he got hung up
Smooching in the stalls
You've got to give a little love
To those who love to live
You've got to take a little hate
From those who have to wait
Up jumped John putting his trousers on
Saying "I've got to get out of here"
"Hear your lover's footsteps"
"They're coming to near for me my dear"
Oh the boy he could boogie
Oh the boy can kick a ball
But the boy he got hung up
Making love against the wall
You've got to give a little love
To those who love to live
You've got to take a little hate
From those who have to wait
Lyrics submitted by Mr. Crowley
For Those Who Love to Live Lyrics as written by Philip Parris Lynott Brian Michael Downey
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
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Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
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Are you kidding me?! Why am I the first to comment on this?:O I think this song is really good but it's a bit hard to describe what it's about. Maybe wanting to leave everything behind and start over.
@cammen I guess a lot of folks are using other sites to get the lyrics and/or music for this great sonf, This site is the because the top fans of any GREAT song come here, yoursellf included. ALL of ThinLizzy songs are GREAT! I have followed them since their inception. Their music will always be with me! ROCK ON!
This song is about "Georgie Best". Lynott was a huge Manchester United supporter. Plus, Best was a womanizer and frequently in the tabloids because he was a wild partier, in addition to being one of the greatest footballers ever (the boy could kick a ball). Best was also from Northern Ireland, so it's easy to see why he would want to "get out of here", and he definitely "loved to live".
@blacksabfan Cool, as I had no idea! I guess a lot information about their songs can be gleamed from documentaries on the band. Their music is unmatched and will live in my heart forever as it is timeless and totally wonderfu. I love THINLIZZY! Rock ON!