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.
Sometimes we play, sometimes we lose
With pride or with shame
Sometimes a dream turns into dust
But who's there to blame?
Try not to forget and to understand
And read between the lines
Get back on your feet, you've got one more chance
To make it right this time
The reason we stand facing the rising sun
The pain goes on and on
We hold deep inside the power
To guide us until we touch the sky
The reason we stand with pride
Is the will to live and to reach for the stars
So never look back
And we'll keep on fighting until we touch the sky
Sometimes the pain burns deep inside
And all seems in vain
Sometimes the fear darkens the path
And leads us astray
Tears in our eyes
And our hopes are fading away
But revenge is sweet, get back on your feet
'Cause a war is upon us today
The reason we stand facing the rising sun
The pain goes on and on
We hold deep inside the power
To guide us until we touch the sky
The reason we stand with pride
Is the will to live and to reach for the stars
So never look back
You're always just one step away
The reason we stand facing the rising sun
The pain goes on and on
We hold deep inside the power
To guide us until we touch the sky
The power we hold deep inside
Is the will to live and reach for the stars
One step away
With pride or with shame
Sometimes a dream turns into dust
But who's there to blame?
Try not to forget and to understand
And read between the lines
Get back on your feet, you've got one more chance
To make it right this time
The reason we stand facing the rising sun
The pain goes on and on
We hold deep inside the power
To guide us until we touch the sky
The reason we stand with pride
Is the will to live and to reach for the stars
So never look back
And we'll keep on fighting until we touch the sky
Sometimes the pain burns deep inside
And all seems in vain
Sometimes the fear darkens the path
And leads us astray
Tears in our eyes
And our hopes are fading away
But revenge is sweet, get back on your feet
'Cause a war is upon us today
The reason we stand facing the rising sun
The pain goes on and on
We hold deep inside the power
To guide us until we touch the sky
The reason we stand with pride
Is the will to live and to reach for the stars
So never look back
You're always just one step away
The reason we stand facing the rising sun
The pain goes on and on
We hold deep inside the power
To guide us until we touch the sky
The power we hold deep inside
Is the will to live and reach for the stars
One step away
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