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.
She took my hand
And tried to make me understand
That she would always be there
But I looked away
And she ran away from me today,
I'm such a lonely man.
It came as no surprise to me
That she'd leave me in misery.
It seemed like only yesterday
She made a vow that she'd never walk away.
She took my hand
And tried to make me understand
That she would always be there
But I looked away
And she ran away from me today,
I'm such a lonely man.
And if it seemed a sin
To love another man's woman, baby,
I guess I'll keep on sinning
Loving her, Lord, till my very last day.
But I looked away
And she ran away from me today,
I'm such a lonely man.
And tried to make me understand
That she would always be there
But I looked away
And she ran away from me today,
I'm such a lonely man.
It came as no surprise to me
That she'd leave me in misery.
It seemed like only yesterday
She made a vow that she'd never walk away.
She took my hand
And tried to make me understand
That she would always be there
But I looked away
And she ran away from me today,
I'm such a lonely man.
And if it seemed a sin
To love another man's woman, baby,
I guess I'll keep on sinning
Loving her, Lord, till my very last day.
But I looked away
And she ran away from me today,
I'm such a lonely man.
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
I Looked Away Lyrics as written by Eric Patrick Clapton Bobby Whitlock
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.