Peter
Annette Brox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think I've seen you somewhere I remember
You were with that man they took away
I recognize your face
[Peter]
You've got the wrong man lady I don't know him
And I wasn't where he was tonight - never near the place
That's strange for I'm sure I saw you with him
You were right by his side and yet you denied -
[Peter]
I tell you I was never ever with him
Old man:
But I saw you too - it looked just like you
[Peter]
I don't know him!
Mary Magdalene:
Peter - don't you know what you have said
You've gone and cut him dead
[Peter]
I had to do it don't you see?
Or else they'd go for me
Mary Magdalene:
That's what he told us you would do -
I wonder how he knew ...
The lyrics of Annette Brox Paul Davis Yvonne Elliman's song "Peter's Denial" narrate the story of Peter, one of Jesus' disciples, denying his association with Jesus after he was taken away by the authorities. The maid by the fire recognizes Peter from his association with Jesus and questions him about it. Peter denies the association and claims to have not been with Jesus. A soldier who witnessed the event contradicts Peter's claim, but Peter continues to deny. An old man also claims to have seen Peter with Jesus, but Peter insists on his denial. Mary Magdalene tries to make Peter understand the weight of his actions, but Peter justifies his denial by saying he had to do it to save himself. Mary reminds Peter that Jesus had predicted his denial, and Peter is left to wonder how Jesus knew he would deny him.
The lyrics of "Peter's Denial" highlight the fallibility of human beings and their tendency to succumb to pressures and betray their beliefs. Peter, who was one of Jesus' closest disciples, was unable to stand by his association with Jesus and succumbed to the fear of persecution. The song also emphasizes the prophetic nature of Jesus' teachings, as Peter's denial was predicted by him.
Line by Line Meaning
Maid by the fire:
A woman who works in the house says...
I think I've seen you somewhere I remember
...to Peter that she recognizes him and...
You were with that man they took away
...thinks he was with the man that the soldiers took away.
I recognize your face
She is sure that it is him.
[Peter] You've got the wrong man lady I don't know him
Peter denies knowing the man who was taken away.
And I wasn't where he was tonight - never near the place
Peter says he was not near the place where the man was taken away.
Soldier: That's strange for I'm sure I saw you with him
The soldier confronts Peter by saying he is sure he saw Peter with the man.
You were right by his side and yet you denied -
...but Peter continues to deny it.
[Peter] I tell you I was never ever with him
Peter again denies being with the man.
Old man: But I saw you too - it looked just like you
An old man agrees with the soldier, saying he saw Peter with the man.
[Peter] I don't know him!
Peter continues to deny knowing the man even after others claim to have seen him together.
Mary Magdalene: Peter - don't you know what you have said
Mary Magdalene tries to make Peter realize the gravity of his words.
You've gone and cut him dead
...by denying him in front of others.
[Peter] I had to do it don't you see?
Peter tries to justify his actions, saying he had to deny knowing the man.
Or else they'd go for me
He was afraid of the consequences.
Mary Magdalene: That's what he told us you would do -
Mary Magdalene reveals that the man Peter denied knowing had predicted his denial.
I wonder how he knew ...
She is curious about this prediction.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, TIM RICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind