Defector
Petra Lyrics


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Words and music by Bob Hartman
Based on Colossians 1:13, Ephesians 2:1-7, Isaiah 61:1,2

You used to play their games
You used to stay the same
They used to hold you back
They knew the best attack
They thought they had a better hold on you
They thought that you would always stay true blue
They couldn't stop you - they had no defense
You went under the wire - you went over the fence

Defector - you broke the chains away
Defector - a higher power you obey
Now they have no hold on you - you've broken through
But don't forget to read the signs 'cause
You still live behind - enemy lines
Defector

They used to drag you down
They used to have you bound
Just like a ball and chain
But they could not restrain
They thought that you could never break away
They thought that you would always go their way
They had you tied up habitually
They never figured you could ever get free

You got away clean but it don't come free
Another man paid with His on agony for...




Freedom
Freedom

Overall Meaning

The song Defector by Petra is a powerful anthem that encourages listeners to break free from societal and cultural expectations that seek to keep them trapped. Bob Hartman, the songwriter, based the lyrics on biblical passages from Colossians 1:13, Ephesians 2:1-7, and Isaiah 61:1,2. The lyrics describe a person who used to conform to other people's expectations and play their games, but has broken free from their hold and found a higher power to obey. The song's chorus, "Defector - you broke the chains away/Defector - a higher power you obey/Now they have no hold on you - you've broken through/But don't forget to read the signs 'cause/ You still live behind - enemy lines," speaks of the important message that although the person has broken free, they still need to be vigilant in order to keep their freedom and not fall back into old patterns.


The first verse describes the people who used to hold the person back, trying to keep them from becoming their true self. The second verse describes how the person used to be tied up and bound, similar to a ball and chain. The lyrics highlight how societal expectations and cultural norms can confine and restrain individuals, leading them to believe that they can never break free. However, the chorus reassures listeners that there is a way for them to break the chains and free themselves from these constraints.



Line by Line Meaning

You used to play their games
You used to conform to the ways of the world


You used to stay the same
You used to live without change, without growth


They used to hold you back
The forces of this world used to impede your spiritual journey


They knew the best attack
The enemy knew your weaknesses and vulnerabilities


They thought they had a better hold on you
The enemy thought they had control over your life


They thought that you would always stay true blue
The enemy thought that you would always remain stagnant and never progress in your spiritual journey


They couldn't stop you - they had no defense
The enemy was defenseless in the face of your resolve to change


You went under the wire - you went over the fence
You found a way to overcome the obstacles that the enemy placed in your path


Defector - you broke the chains away
You broke free from the hold that the enemy had on your life


Defector - a higher power you obey
You now obey the one true God


Now they have no hold on you - you've broken through
The enemy no longer has control over your life


But don't forget to read the signs 'cause
Do not forget to be vigilant and on the lookout for the tactics of the enemy


You still live behind - enemy lines
You still live in a world that is controlled by the enemy


Defector
You are a defector of the ways of the world and an adherent to the ways of the one true God


They used to drag you down
The enemy used to pull you down and prevent you from growing spiritually


They used to have you bound
The enemy used to keep you tied up and unable to move forward


Just like a ball and chain
You were once weighed down by the burdens of the world


But they could not restrain
The enemy could not hold you back forever


They thought that you could never break away
The enemy thought that you would always adhere to their ways


They thought that you would always go their way
The enemy thought that you would never change your ways and follow a different path


They had you tied up habitually
The enemy had been holding you back for a long time


They never figured you could ever get free
The enemy never thought that you would be able to break free from their grip


You got away clean but it don't come free
You were able to break free, but it was not without a cost


Another man paid with His on agony for...
Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price for our freedom


Freedom
We have been granted the freedom to live a more meaningful, spiritual life through Jesus Christ




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ROBERT HARTMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

mikloszrinyi

Best rip roaring Christian blistering guitars, drums and powerful vocals you will find..Finally Christian music with testosterone..

Hylian Batman

And yet it's better than a lot of rock today :)

James Edgar

whomyguy1 - It's easy to get the release dates mixed up now that they are deep in the past. This album came out in late fall of '88. I remember that time vividly; I was a freshman in college here in Charlotte NC, and when I went home to Ohio for Thanksgiving break, I ran like my feet were on fire to get to the Christian bookstore a mile from my Mom's house to buy it.

Big Bubby Merritt

I’m 15 years old and I think I’m the only reen who likes Petra on the face of the earth.  Are there any others?

JMA Music

Oh my gosh yes, I'm 16 and i love Petra

Raindeer Projekt

Petra is like a secret musical entrance to the Force of compassion... Awesome sound and message.... I am thankful they hold meaning for you .... I come back to them to this day..... Whitecross was good as well

Daz Adamski

I love this song it speak the truth about are true day to day struggles thank god this messg. is still beaing put out here god bless you

mysticx0

that bassline tho.....!

mightywings76

Underated very hard rock song!

David B

Yo man. Thanks for all these Petra videos. so good to hear them and to hear some new songs like these (Ok old, but new to me). :)

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