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/
Defector
Petra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 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
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
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). :)