Killing My Old Man
Petra Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I think its gone far enough
I can't take it anymore
I've got to even up the score
Before he sweeps me off the floor

I've really got to find a way
Of taking care of him for good
I know he'd kill me if he could
So I'll nail him to the wood

[Chorus]
Killing my old man
You may not understand
He's a terrible man
Got to make a stand
And kill the old man

Every time that I think he's gone and I've finally won
He just keeps coming back, puts me on the run

I think I'd better do it now
Get my hammer and a nail
Pray to God I that I won't fail




Lest he'll keep me in the jail
And I don't want to stay in jail!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Petra's song "Killing My Old Man" depict a troubled relationship between a father and his child. The singer has had enough of her father's abuse and wants to take revenge on him before he further hurts her. The lyrics mention the desire to "even up the score" and to "nail him to the wood," indicating a violent plan of action. The singer fears that her father may kill her, and hence, she takes the initiative to kill him before he harms her. The chorus boldly proclaims the act of "killing my old man" as a necessary action, although others may not understand the reason behind it.


The words convey the idea of a dysfunctional family dynamic that leads to physical abuse and an oppressive environment. The repeated references to being chased and put on the run by the father indicate the singer's powerlessness and need for an extreme solution to end her suffering. However, the lyrics leave the listener to decide whether the singer's actions are justified or not. Overall, the song portrays a dark and disturbing subject matter that raises important questions about domestic violence and its underlying causes.


Line by Line Meaning

I think its gone far enough
I have been enduring this situation for a long time


I can't take it anymore
I am unable to continue suffering in silence


I've got to even up the score
I need to take revenge to make things right


Before he sweeps me off the floor
Before he harms me physically, emotionally or mentally


I've really got to find a way
I need to come up with a plan


Of taking care of him for good
To get rid of him permanently


I know he'd kill me if he could
I am aware that he wants to harm me


So I'll nail him to the wood
I will punish him by using a hammer and a nail


Killing my old man
Intending to commit patricide


You may not understand
You might not comprehend the gravity of the situation


He's a terrible man
He is an abusive and dangerous person


Got to make a stand
I must take action and not succumb to his abuse


And kill the old man
Intending to commit patricide


Every time that I think he's gone and I've finally won
Each time I anticipate that he is defeated and the problem is over


He just keeps coming back, puts me on the run
He keeps returning and does not allow me to live in peace


I think I'd better do it now
I am considering committing the crime immediately


Get my hammer and a nail
Equipping myself with tools of violence


Pray to God I won't fail
Fearing that my plan may go wrong


Lest he'll keep me in the jail
I do not want to be imprisoned


And I don't want to stay in jail!
I am determined to avoid being incarcerated




Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: BOB HARTMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@RwBguardian

I think its gone far enough
I can't take it anymore
I've got to even up the score
Before he sweeps me off the floor

I've really got to find a way
Of taking care of him for good
I know he'd kill me if he could
So I'll nail him to the wood

Killing my old man
You may not understand
He's a terrible man
Got to make a stand
And kill the old man


Every time that I think he's gone and I've finally won
He just keeps coming back, puts me on the run

I think I'd better do it now
Get my hammer and a nail
Pray to God I that I won't fail
Lest he'll keep me in the jail
And I don't wanna stay in jail!



@Alexandro90s

aca se las dejo en español

Creo que ha ido lo suficientemente lejos
No puedo soportarlo más
Tengo para igualar el marcador
Antes de que me barre el piso

Realmente he llegado a encontrar una manera de
De cuidar de él para siempre
Yo sé que él me mataría si pudiera
Así que le voy a clavar en la madera

(Estribillo)
Matar a mi viejo
Usted no puede entender
Él es un hombre terrible
Tengo que hacer un soporte
Y matar al anciano

(Puente)
Cada vez que pienso que se ha ido y he ganado finalmente
Él sólo sigue volviendo, me pone en la carrera

Creo que será mejor que lo haga ahora
Obtener mi martillo y un clavo
Ruega a Dios que me no voy a fallar
Para que no me va a mantener en la cárcel
Y yo no quiero estar en la cárcel!



All comments from YouTube:

@Rocksoup77

Great song, lyrically, as well as musically. Love that snappy strat tone. Hartman has some genius guitar licks all over the place in this one.

@ZachMcCordProg

Yeah! Lol Bob is my guitar playing role model haha.

@kernel-panic7538

This was during the era that he played a Gibson SG, if memory serves. See album cover art.

@jamesedgar3442

Every Christian should be able to relate to this song. My "old man" seems to have millions of lives; he keeps showing up! It's a daily battle to kill the sinful nature.

@timfrench9545

James Edgar for sure brother, fighting right now!

@joanmclean3380

Omygosh its awesome

@Alexandro90s

Very good song from the album, it is one of the ones that I like the most and it sounds like pink floyd, maybe Roger Waters was influenced by here. As the word new creatures says

@chadrasmussen6127

I'm gonna do it for good

@Bigjizay

The old man is stubborn, isn't he!

@jamesblumensheid353

I remember when this song first came out. I was a victim of child abuse. I used to play this song loud in my room. Now I know it's not the original intention, but it fit the bill in my situation. Oh yes once in my young adult life I got professional therapy help.

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