1) Petra is a Christia… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:
1) Petra is a Christian Rock band formed in 1972 by Bob Hartman, Bill Glover, John DeGroff, and Greg Hough. "Petra" means "rock" in NT Greek, making the band name a triple pun. Rising from the Jesus music movement, and initially signed to [recordlabel]Myrrh Records[/recordlabel], they fought to gain acceptance and recognition in a church culture that at the time believed rock music to be off-limits. Over time they eventually won over most of their critics, thanks to a steady approach and some solid adult contemporary airplay hits like "The Coloring Song," outside of their usual rock fare. By the mid-80's, when lead singer Greg X. Volz left the band and was replaced by John Schlitt, Petra had solidified their place as the foremost Christian rock band in the industry with a string of hit albums and singles and strong touring. The release of Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out marked a turn towards modern-sounding worship music that would soon explode into the modern worship movement.
Petra was nominated for and won numerous Grammy and Dove Awards. In 1991, after the release of their acclaimed Beyond Belief record, Petra became the first rock band ever to win for Group of the Year at the Dove Awards. They were also the first Christian rock band to be inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
For three decades Petra continued to produce albums despite changes in their line-up as well as the genre and market. On May 24th, 2005 Petra announced their retirement after 33 years of ministry. They recorded one of their final performances in Franklin, Tennessee to release it as their last album, Farewell. Their last performance finished in the early hours of January 1, 2006 in Murphy, North Carolina. Bob Hartman and John Schlitt continue to tour under the moniker II Guys From Petra.
Lineups through the years:
Early 80's Captured in Time & Space lineup: Bob Hartman, Greg X. Volz, John Slick, Mark Kelly, Louie Weaver, John Lawry
Late 80's "Beyond Belief dream team" lineup: Bob Hartman, John Schlitt, John Lawry, Louie Weaver, Ronny Cates
Late 90's Petra Praise 2 - We Need Jesus lineup: John Schlitt, Louie Weaver, Lonnie Chapin, Pete Orta, Kevin Brandow
Farewell CD lineup: John Schlitt, Bob Hartman, Greg Bailey, Paul Simmons, with special appearances by Greg X. Volz and John Lawry
More members: Rob Frazier, Jim Cooper, David Lichens, Trent Thomason, Bryce Bell, Quinton Gibson, Justin Johnson
See also http://www.petraband.com/
Clean
Petra Lyrics
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You may see me cornered with my back against the wall
Maybe incognito, maybe out to lunch
Maybe caught red-handed or maybe just a hunch
[Chorus]
I'm clean, clean, clean before my Lord
I'm clean, clean, clean before my Lord
With no trace of wrong left to right
I'm clean, clean, clean
Kneeling in the closet begging daily bread
There may be a skeleton hanging overhead
Where are my accusers, nowhere to be found
They all dropped their stones when the Master came around
I've missed the mark I can't deny it
I don't condone or justify it
But I've done nothing that His blood can't wash away
When I take it to the cross and start to pray
The lyrics of Petra's song, Clean, reflect an acknowledgement of the human condition of falling short of perfection and committing sins. The singer acknowledges that they can and do sometimes stumble and fall, and may sometimes find themselves in difficult situations, perhaps even caught red-handed. Nevertheless, the singer declares that they are clean before their Lord, like a spotless lamb without any trace of wrong left to right.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the theme of cleanliness and blamelessness before God. The singer claims to have no accusations against them, and that they have been made clean by the blood of Christ. The song also portrays the importance of prayer as a means of seeking forgiveness and redemption from past sins.
Overall, Clean is a powerful song that speaks to the human struggle to stay pure and free of sin, and the hope of finding redemption and forgiveness through faith in God.
Line by Line Meaning
You may see me stumble, you may see might fall
Even though I may make mistakes and face struggles, I will not be defeated.
You may see me cornered with my back against the wall
I may feel trapped and helpless, but I know that God will provide a way out.
Maybe incognito, maybe out to lunch
I may feel lost or disconnected at times, but I am always seeking to be closer to God.
Maybe caught red-handed or maybe just a hunch
I may be guilty of something or falsely accused, but I trust in God's judgment and mercy.
I'm clean, clean, clean before my Lord
Through God's forgiveness, I am pure and blameless in His sight.
Like a spotless lamb, I'm blameless in His sight
Just as a lamb without blemish was sacrificed for our sins, I am free from guilt through Christ's sacrifice.
With no trace of wrong left to right
All my sins have been forgiven and wiped away, leaving me without any wrongdoing.
Kneeling in the closet begging daily bread
I humble myself and depend on God for my daily needs.
There may be a skeleton hanging overhead
I am aware of my past mistakes, but I know that God's forgiveness surpasses them all.
Where are my accusers, nowhere to be found
In the presence of God, my accusers have no power or hold over me.
They all dropped their stones when the Master came around
When faced with the love and grace of Jesus, even those who condemn and judge others can be transformed.
I've missed the mark I can't deny it
I acknowledge my faults and shortcomings before God.
I don't condone or justify it
I do not excuse or rationalize my mistakes and take responsibility for them.
But I've done nothing that His blood can't wash away
Through the sacrifice of Jesus, all sins can be forgiven and washed clean.
When I take it to the cross and start to pray
Through prayer and repentance, I can receive God's forgiveness and be made clean again.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Martin Gore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind