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.
How can you leave me standing
Alone in a world that is so cold?
Maybe I'm just too demanding
Maybe I'm just like my father, too bold
Maybe I'm just like my mother
She's never satisfied
Why do we scream at each other?
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry
Yes, they cry
Oh, they cry
How could you leave me standing
Alone in a world that's so cold?
Maybe I'm just too demanding
Maybe I'm just like my father, too bold
Maybe I'm just like my mother
She's never satisfied
Why do we scream at each other?
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry, yeah, yeah
This is what it sounds like
This is what it sounds like
This is what it sounds like
Dream if you can a courtyard
An ocean of violets in bloom
Animals strike curious poses
They feel the heat, the heat between me and you
Maybe you're just like my mother (maybe)
She's never satisfied (she's never satisfied)
Why do we scream at each other?
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry, yeah, yeah
Doves cry
A plague on both your houses
You know that they cry
You know that they cry
You know that they cry (Romeo is finished)
You know that they cry
You know that they cry
How could you leave me standing (you know that they cry)
Alone in a world that's so cold? (You know that they cry)
Maybe I'm just too demanding (you know that they cry)
Maybe I'm just like my father, too bold (you know that they cry)
Maybe I'm just like my mother (you know that they cry)
She's never satisfied (you know that they cry)
Why do we scream at each other? (You know that they cry)
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry
Alone in a world that is so cold?
Maybe I'm just too demanding
Maybe I'm just like my father, too bold
Maybe I'm just like my mother
She's never satisfied
Why do we scream at each other?
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry
Yes, they cry
Oh, they cry
How could you leave me standing
Alone in a world that's so cold?
Maybe I'm just too demanding
Maybe I'm just like my father, too bold
Maybe I'm just like my mother
She's never satisfied
Why do we scream at each other?
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry, yeah, yeah
This is what it sounds like
This is what it sounds like
This is what it sounds like
Dream if you can a courtyard
An ocean of violets in bloom
Animals strike curious poses
They feel the heat, the heat between me and you
Maybe you're just like my mother (maybe)
She's never satisfied (she's never satisfied)
Why do we scream at each other?
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry, yeah, yeah
Doves cry
A plague on both your houses
You know that they cry
You know that they cry
You know that they cry (Romeo is finished)
You know that they cry
You know that they cry
How could you leave me standing (you know that they cry)
Alone in a world that's so cold? (You know that they cry)
Maybe I'm just too demanding (you know that they cry)
Maybe I'm just like my father, too bold (you know that they cry)
Maybe I'm just like my mother (you know that they cry)
She's never satisfied (you know that they cry)
Why do we scream at each other? (You know that they cry)
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
When Doves Cry [Bonus Track] Lyrics as written by Prince Rogers Nelson
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
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