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 will hang on the hook of your splendor
As the night rolls us up in its arms
And the square of your thumbs and your fingers
Is the blanket of the sky that's so warm
I know it's late but I can't help but think here
That the day hasn't shown all its cards
Now it's out to the stars of the ocean
Let's not retrace our steps to the car
Picking out all the stars that we like
Between finger and thumb
You laugh as you pass me the night
As if it's too fragile to hold
And I hold it so close to my chest
With your hands in my hands
You say this is just how we'll rest
Until light turns to sound
Now your eyelids they faint and they shiver
Like the wings of the last bird to leave
For the south for the heat for no reason
I watch as they fly for sheer joy
The wind shakes the branches above us
And the car shaved the ground at our backs
But the dark roman wine in our bloodstreams
Makes the cold just a word, just a sound
Picking out all the stars that we like
Between finger and thumb
You laugh as you pass me the night
As if it's too fragile to hold
And I hold it so close to my chest
With your hands in my hands
You say this is just how we'll rest
Until the light turns to sound
As the night rolls us up in its arms
And the square of your thumbs and your fingers
Is the blanket of the sky that's so warm
I know it's late but I can't help but think here
That the day hasn't shown all its cards
Now it's out to the stars of the ocean
Let's not retrace our steps to the car
Picking out all the stars that we like
Between finger and thumb
You laugh as you pass me the night
As if it's too fragile to hold
And I hold it so close to my chest
With your hands in my hands
You say this is just how we'll rest
Until light turns to sound
Now your eyelids they faint and they shiver
Like the wings of the last bird to leave
For the south for the heat for no reason
I watch as they fly for sheer joy
The wind shakes the branches above us
And the car shaved the ground at our backs
But the dark roman wine in our bloodstreams
Makes the cold just a word, just a sound
Picking out all the stars that we like
Between finger and thumb
You laugh as you pass me the night
As if it's too fragile to hold
And I hold it so close to my chest
With your hands in my hands
You say this is just how we'll rest
Until the light turns to sound
Lyrics submitted by dustfinger, edited by Milolikesmusic
Dark Roman Wine Lyrics as written by Gary Lightbody Garret Lee
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I added Up To Now to my collection this past weekend and, in the process, fell for this song. I just can't shake it- not that I would want to though. It truly is glorious.
Btw, while I could be mistaken, I think the lyrics are "until the land turns to sand".
I think it's
"I know it's late but i can't help but thinking"
"Now it's out to the stars OR the ocean"
"And I HOLD it so close to my chest"
"At all just to fly for sheer joy"
I love this song SO MUCH, it is so powerful and beautiful and the lyric are GENIUS... (but then so is Gary Lightbody so that makes perfect sense) :D
according to the official snow patrol website and their lyrics it's "until the land turns to sand"
Much like 'give me strength' another great new song to add to the best of album looking forward to their reworked album coming up soon :):):)
the word 'romantic' has never been as well placed than when describing this song. gorgeous! just makes me think of warm, lazy summer nights. definately a wedding song!
I think that it's about a man and woman who went on a date and had a few too many. He's enjoying just laying around with her, and he doesn't want the night to end.
It's "until light turns to sound"