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.
After all the mistakes have been and gone
You're still standing here, standing strong
And I forgive all the wrongs that you have ever done
Cos' you're still the only one
The apple of your mother's eye
Your life it passed your father by
I bet he wish he was there too
So much grace and poise yeah you're always right on cue
And there were times
You know it's true
When the whole world
Was looking at you
They changed their mind from day to night
One minute you're wrong then the next thing you're right
God rest your soul
Keep standing tall my only one
There's still a twinkle in your eye
Even after we say goodbye
You're always there in spirit and in mind
I'll be with you until the end of time
And there were times
You know it's true
When the whole world
Was looking at you
They changed their mind from day to night
One minute you're wrong then the next thing you're right
God rest your soul
Keep standing tall my only one
You're still standing here, standing strong
And I forgive all the wrongs that you have ever done
Cos' you're still the only one
The apple of your mother's eye
Your life it passed your father by
I bet he wish he was there too
So much grace and poise yeah you're always right on cue
And there were times
You know it's true
When the whole world
Was looking at you
They changed their mind from day to night
One minute you're wrong then the next thing you're right
God rest your soul
Keep standing tall my only one
There's still a twinkle in your eye
Even after we say goodbye
You're always there in spirit and in mind
I'll be with you until the end of time
And there were times
You know it's true
When the whole world
Was looking at you
They changed their mind from day to night
One minute you're wrong then the next thing you're right
God rest your soul
Keep standing tall my only one
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In her live version, she says that she wrote this song about Michael Jackson, and it seems quite appropriate when describing his life. No matter what happened in his personal life people still loved his music, which was shown when he died.