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/
Hollow Eyes
Petra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The crops failed, the well ran dry
When they lost the watershed
A baby dies, its mother cries, the children gather 'round
They're wondering what the day will bring
Will they be the next one found?
Do you dare to gaze into their hollow eyes, hollow eyes?
Are they staring holes in you with their hollow eyes,
Hollow eyes, hollow eyes?
In the crowded sheds the children lay their heads
To escape the Haitian heat
The hunger pains drive them to the street
Wond'ring if today they'll eat
Some find food in the refuse heap, others find disease
Some find it harder just to live when they can die with ease.
The least of these is hungry.
The least of these is sick.
The least of these needs clothing.
The least of these needs drink.
The least of these knows sorrow.
The least of these knows grief.
The least of these has suffered pain, and Jesus is His name.
(2nd Chorus)
Do you dare to gaze into His hollow eyes, hollow eyes?
Is He staring back at you with His hollow eyes,
Hollow eyes, hollow eyes?
Petra's song "Hollow Eyes" is a poignant reminder of the plight of suffering and poverty-stricken children in third-world countries. The first verse paints a grim picture of the situation in Nigeria, where children beg for bread, crops fail, and the well runs dry when the watershed is lost. The second verse sheds light on the conditions in Haiti, where children lay their heads in crowded sheds to escape the heat and hunger pains, while some find food in refuse heaps, while others only find disease. The lyrics express the concern of these children who wonder if they will be the next to die. The chorus challenges the listener to dare to gaze into their hollow eyes, asking if they can handle the heartbreaking reality of their suffering.
The lyrics highlight the plight of the least of these - the hungry, the sick, the ones in need of clothing, drink, and shelter. They have experienced sorrow, grief, pain, and Jesus is their only hope. The bridge of the song reminds us that Jesus is the face of the least of these, and as we look into their hollow eyes, we see Him. The song has a powerful message that prompts us to look beyond ourselves and our comfortable lives and make a difference in the lives of others.
Line by Line Meaning
Another day in Nigeria the children beg for bread,
Every day in Nigeria, children beg for food while they are living in poverty.
The crops failed, the well ran dry
There is no food or water available as the crops have failed and the well is dry.
When they lost the watershed
When the watershed was lost, there was no water to drink and water scarcity occurred.
A baby dies, its mother cries, the children gather 'round
A baby has died, and the mother is grieving while the children are witnessing the tragic situation.
They're wondering what the day will bring
Children are uncertain about the future, worrying about what will happen next.
Will they be the next one found?
There is an element of fear and uncertainty among the children, whether they will be the next one to experience a tragedy.
Do you dare to gaze into their hollow eyes, hollow eyes?
The song is asking if you are brave enough to look into the eyes of these children who are suffering from poverty and starvation.
Are they staring holes in you with their hollow eyes,
Their eyes show the pain, suffering and hopelessness of their current condition, just by looking at these eyes, can make you feel helpless, and full of empathy.
In the crowded sheds the children lay their heads
Children are sleeping in crowded sheds to escape the heat in Haiti.
To escape the Haitian heat
Children are struggling to cope with harsh living conditions in the extreme heat of Haiti.
The hunger pains drive them to the street
Hunger compels these children to roam through the streets.
Wond'ring if today they'll eat
Children are anxious about acquiring food and if they will remain hungry throughout the day.
Some find food in the refuse heap, others find disease
Some children are resorting to eating discarded food while others are suffering from various diseases caused by the lack of hygiene.
Some find it harder just to live when they can die with ease.
It's hard for children to survive when they're living in poverty, without access to basic necessities.
The least of these is hungry.
The impoverished are starving and can't find sufficient food to eat.
The least of these is sick.
The impoverished lack access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, which results in sickness.
The least of these needs clothing.
Impoverished people do not have enough clothing or means to acquire them.
The least of these needs drink.
People living in poverty lack access to clean drinking water and must consume contaminated water instead.
The least of these knows sorrow.
Impoverished people suffer from emotional pain and grief resulting from their condition.
The least of these knows grief.
People living in poverty experience intense sorrow and grief that they have to endure every day.
The least of these has suffered pain, and Jesus is His name.
Jesus is the one who has gone through the pain that impoverished people are experiencing, and he stands with them, as their savior.
Do you dare to gaze into His hollow eyes, hollow eyes?
The song is questioning whether you are daring enough to look into the eyes of impoverished, just like you were encouraged to look in the eyes of children before.
Is He staring back at you with His hollow eyes,
Jesus is looking at you with hollow eyes, to compel you towards helping his children, who are in pain.
Hollow eyes, hollow eyes?
The repetition of the phrase highlights the emptiness and despair in the eyes of the impoverished people and Jesus.
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: TY TABOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Henry Juhala
I love the lyrics of this song and the tenderness with which Petra delivers them. Sometimes, Petra's music is just too strong and harsh that the words get overshadowed. This is one where they musical stylings match the lyrics and intent of the song in such a beautiful way so that we can focus on the message. Thank you for this.
HOLLOW EYES.
Another day in Nigeria the children beg for bread,
The crops failed, the well ran dry
When they lost the watershed
A baby dies, its mother cries, the children gather 'round
They're wondering what the day will bring
Will they be the next one found?
Do you dare to gaze into their hollow eyes, hollow eyes?
Are they staring holes in you with their hollow eyes,
Hollow eyes, hollow eyes?
In the crowded sheds the children lay their heads
To escape the Haitian heat
The hunger pains drive them to the street
Wond'ring if today they'll eat
Some find food in the refuse heap, others find disease
Some find it harder just to live when they can die with ease.
The least of these is hungry.
The least of these is sick.
The least of these needs clothing.
The least of these needs drink.
The least of these knows sorrow.
The least of these knows grief.
The least of these has suffered pain, and Jesus is His name.
Do you dare to gaze into His hollow eyes, hollow eyes?
Is He staring back at you with His hollow eyes,
Hollow eyes, hollow eyes?
Randall Burke
It's a real shame this wasn't a huge Christian radio hit back in the day. I remember reading an interview or a blurb about how this song didn't do while on radio because it was "too depressing". When really it is a call to help out the less fortunate. We are to be His hands and feet
Stan Speight
Out Of all their great songs this song touched me more than any of their other songs & still does thank u
Andrew Gomez
i haven't heard this in over 20 years. i think it's awesome how i can still remember the words like i heard it yesterday.
EliteTeamKiller
Now it's been 33. Do you still remember?
ThePureblooded
Me too, I listened to this with my Dad growing up. I'm 43 now and can still sing along even though 25 years have passed.
Andrew Haxley
Andrew Gomez me too, i love god and jesus and love petra, its my favorite christian band to this day, as a true child of god believer and born again christian, i still know the lyrics to this song too as i try to hum and sing them, god bless u friend and take care:)
James Edgar
This song reminds me that I do not love the poor like I should. God still has a mountain of work to do on me.
Andrew Haxley
James Edgar god bless u friend, i love god and jesus their my best friends, and am proud to be a child of god believer and born again christian, i love this song too, its creepy and i fear to sin again, but its true amen:)
rivaldo Belmont
Maravilha de música.
DJC_Stitches
wow, thank you for the flashback to my high school days. This was one song that stuck in my head and I've been trying to remember it for a long time. I remember roller skating to petra. That seems like a lifetime ago.