Old 97's have been heralded as a great live band. They included five live songs as a bonus disc on Satellite Rides, and released a live double CD set recorded at historic Gruene Hall in 2005, Alive and Wired. Singer/guitarist Rhett Miller has released three solo albums and singer/bassist Murry Hammond released his first solo effort in April 2008. Ken Bethea plays lead guitar for the band and playing the drums/singing is Philip Peeples.
For photographs and additional information see the official website, www.Old97s.com.
Por Favor
Old 97's Lyrics
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When you meet him in the by and by?
Will you grease your way into Heaven?
Oh can you even look St. Peter in the eye?
Oh will you tell him all your details of your sinnin'?
Will you tell him all the loved ones you done lost?
Will you name off all the broken hearted women?
I said, ?Dear Lord, por favor, I need a favor
Well can You help me get back that what is no more?
Well I double-crossed the woman who was two-timin' me
She gave me one good reason, I gave her what for
Por favor, por favor, por favor, ah por favor"
What will you say to your Savior
When you meet Him in the promised land?
Will you walk with Him through the valley?
Or will you let your Savior lead you by the hand?
Oh will you tell Him all the details of your sinnin'?
Will you tell Him all the loved ones you done hurt?
Will you name off all the broken hearted women?
Or the one you buried three feet deep in wet East Texas dirt?
I said, ?Dear Lord, por favor, I need a favor
Well can You help me undo that what is done for?
Well I double-crossed the woman who was two-timin' me
She gave me one good reason, yeah I gave her what for
Por favor, por favor, por favor, ah por favor"
Oh I said, ?Dear Lord, por favor, I need a favor
Well can You help me get back that what is no more?
Well I double-crossed the woman who was two-timin' me
She gave me one good reason, yeah I gave her what for
Por favor, por favor, por favor, ah por favor"
Por favor, por favor, por favor, ah por favor
Ah por favor, por favor, por favor
The lyrics of "Por Favor" by Old 97's revolve around the idea of sin and redemption. The song is posed as a series of questions to St. Peter and Savior, asking what one would say to them when they meet them in the afterlife. More specifically, the lyrics deal with the issue of sin and the regret that follows it. The singer asks whether they would be honest with St. Peter about their sins or try to cheat their way into heaven. The lyrics suggest that it's not enough to simply ask for forgiveness and hope that everything will be alright. Rather, one must acknowledge their sins and try to make amends with those they have wronged.
The chorus brings back the theme of redemption, as the singer prays to God to undo the harm that he has caused. The lyrics suggest that the only way to find peace and salvation is to make amends and seek forgiveness. The song emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and not shying away from the consequences that come with them.
Overall, "Por Favor" is a reflective and poignant song that asks complex questions about sin, redemption, and forgiveness. It's a reminder that our actions have consequences and that seeking forgiveness isn't always an easy process.
Line by Line Meaning
What will you say to St. Peter
What will you tell the gatekeeper of heaven?
When you meet him in the by and by?
When you arrive in the afterlife?
Will you grease your way into Heaven?
Will you use deceit to enter Heaven?
Oh can you even look St. Peter in the eye?
Are you ashamed of your sins to face St. Peter?
Oh will you tell him all your details of your sinnin'?
Will you confess every sin to St. Peter?
Will you tell him all the loved ones you done lost?
Will you tell St. Peter about the people you've lost?
Will you name off all the broken hearted women?
Will you recall every woman you've hurt emotionally?
Or the one who double-crossed you and got herself double-crossed?
Will you mention the woman who caused you pain?
I said, ?Dear Lord, por favor, I need a favor
I prayed for a favor from God
Well can You help me get back that what is no more?
Can You bring back what I've lost?
Well I double-crossed the woman who was two-timin' me
I betrayed the woman who was cheating on me
She gave me one good reason, I gave her what for
She hurt me once, and I hurt her back worse
Por favor, por favor, por favor, ah por favor
Please, please, please, oh please
What will you say to your Savior
What will you ask your Savior?
When you meet Him in the promised land?
When you arrive in Heaven?
Will you walk with Him through the valley?
Will you follow your Savior through hard times?
Or will you let your Savior lead you by the hand?
Will you let your Savior guide you?
Will you tell Him all the loved ones you done hurt?
Will you confess the people you've hurt to your Savior?
Will you name off all the broken hearted women?
Will you admit every woman you've hurt emotionally?
Or the one you buried three feet deep in wet East Texas dirt?
Will you recall the person you killed?
Oh I said, ?Dear Lord, por favor, I need a favor
I prayed for another favor from God
Well can You help me undo that what is done for?
Can You undo what I've done?
Por favor, por favor, por favor, ah por favor
Please, please, please, oh please
Ah por favor, por favor, por favor
Oh please, please, please
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: KENDALL DEWAYNE BETHEA, MURRAY HAMMOND, PHILIP WAYNE PEEPLES, STEWART RANSOM MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind