Petra
Arsen Dedić Lyrics

The lyrics of Arsen Dedić's song "Petra" speak of the struggle to approach someone with bad news or difficult conversations. The first two lines "Kako će ti prići / Loših vijesti vjesnik" could be translated to mean "How will you approach / as a messenger of bad news." The singer is aware that their news will be unwelcome and maybe even hurtful, but they must deliver it nonetheless. The next two lines "Potrošena nježnost / Potrošeni rječnik" mean "Exhausted tenderness / Exhausted vocabulary," indicating that the singer is running out of ways to soften the blow or express themselves in a gentle manner.

The refrain of the song repeatedly refers to Petra, who is described as the singer's lost little sister and a timid follower of the wind. The line "Koje sve daš" means "All that you give," likely referring to Petra's vulnerability and tendency to put herself in difficult situations. The line "Označena karta / Prokazan i zao" means "Marked card / Condemned and evil," perhaps suggesting that Petra is seen by others as someone who has been dealt a bad hand, and thus unfairly labeled as a bad or immoral person. The final line "Obješen o ruci kao marioneta" means "Hung by the hand like a marionette," an image that further emphasizes Petra's perceived helplessness and vulnerability.

Overall, "Petra" is a song about the difficulties of communication and human connection, particularly in challenging circumstances. The imagery of lost sisters and helpless marionettes highlights the fragile and precarious nature of our relationships with one another, and how easily they can be damaged or destroyed by the weight of difficult conversations or harsh judgments.