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/
More Than A Thousand Words
Petra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I saw Your picture hanging on the wall
Just an artist rendering that was all
The way You looked down in Your agony
Jogged my memory
And helped me to ssee
If a picture's worth a thousand words
Then it won't help me at all
What I feel for You today
(Chorus)
More than a thousand words won't say
More than my life will not repay
More than a thousand things I do
Won't make it up to You
(Verse 2)
I stopped a moment sitting all alone
Without a waiting call on the phone
Looked like a picture from a magazine
More serenity than I've ever seen
And if words cannot describe this day
Or the beauty of this scene
Tell me, how can I expect the words I say
To reflect the things I mean
(Repeat Chorus)
More than a thousand words won't tell
How You forgave me when I fell
More than a thousand words won't do
To say I love You
Simple words will never quite express
My gratitude to You
Until I cross the barrier
Mortal words will have to do
(Repeat Chorus)
The song More Than A Thousand Words by Petra is about how pictures and words are not enough to express the love and gratitude the singer feels towards Jesus. The first verse starts with the singer looking at a picture of Jesus on the wall, but realizing that it cannot capture the true essence of who Jesus is and the sacrifice he made. The singer reflects on the fact that if a picture is worth a thousand words, then it is not enough to express what he feels for Jesus. The chorus emphasizes this point, stating that more than a thousand words or actions won't be enough to repay Jesus for what he has done.
In the second verse, the singer sits alone and observes the beauty of the world around him. He realizes that even the most beautiful scene cannot be fully captured by words alone. The singer then questions how he can expect his words to reflect the depth of his love for Jesus. The final verse acknowledges that simple words will never fully express the singer's gratitude towards Jesus. He understands that mortal words are all he has until he crosses the barrier from this life to the next.
Overall, the song encourages listeners to reflect on the limitations of words and to recognize the magnitude of Jesus' sacrifice. While words and actions are important, they cannot fully express the depth of love and gratitude towards Jesus.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw Your picture hanging on the wall
I observed a depiction of You on the wall
Just an artist rendering that was all
It was simply a portrayal crafted by an artist
The way You looked down in Your agony
The manner in which You gazed downwards during Your pain
Jogged my memory
It triggered memories I had forgotten
And helped me to see
Which aided me in comprehending
If a picture's worth a thousand words
In the event a depiction is equal to a thousand words
Then it won't help me at all
It will not assist me whatsoever
Only words are never gonna say
Merely words will never articulate
What I feel for You today
The extent of my emotions towards You at present
More than a thousand words won't say
Over a thousand words will not express
More than my life will not repay
Even my life will not compensate
More than a thousand things I do
A myriad of actions I undertake
Won't make it up to You
Will not make up for it to You
I stopped a moment sitting all alone
I paused, solitary and still
Without a waiting call on the phone
Without a call to receive
Looked like a picture from a magazine
Resembled a depiction from a magazine
More serenity than I've ever seen
Greater tranquility than I have ever witnessed
And if words cannot describe this day
If words are unable to detail this day
Or the beauty of this scene
Or the loveliness of this sight
Tell me, how can I expect the words I say
I question, how can I anticipate the words I speak
To reflect the things I mean
To mirror my true intentions
More than a thousand words won't tell
Over a thousand words will not divulge
How You forgave me when I fell
The way You excused me when I stumbled
More than a thousand words won't do
More than a thousand words will not suffice
To say I love You
To express my affection for You
Simple words will never quite express
Mere words will not totally convey
My gratitude to You
My appreciation towards You
Until I cross the barrier
Till I pass the boundary
Mortal words will have to do
Words of the living will have to suffice
More than a thousand words won't tell
Over a thousand words will not reveal
How You forgave me when I fell
The way You absolved me when I erred
More than a thousand words won't do
More than a thousand words will not achieve
To say I love You
To express my love for You
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: ROBERT HARTMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Muffincakeswithsugar
I used to listen to this band as a kid, and now, these songs still hold their meaning as much as they did back then
Abigail Molina
amo a petra y su musica no me canso de escuchar desde el 95 por suerte fui a un concierto lo mejor
renata brant
quantas saudade eu tenho desse tempo,que som que qualidade
Nazareth Galindo
10 años después escuchando ...que hermoso es cumplir el propósito de Dios en nuestras vidas ....Sólo es dejar que se a El ...Y hacerlo todo para El...eso eso trasciende y da frutos permanentes !
rykn21x
this one of my favorite PETRA song... the first time I heard this I quickly fell inlove with this band.. rock yet for the LORD... this band really made music... thanks for uploading!
Frank Gurin
The song "No Doubt" from the album of the same name is my favorite of ALL time!!!!!!!!!
THE WALL OF ROCK
Geniaaal!! Amo petra ! Recuerdos inolvidables cuando tenia el cassette!
Küghalu Mülatonu
Really good gospel song. Heard this song in 1999. Still remains newer. God bless the Petra.
SuSiLe dias dias
2022 y aquí sigo y ahora mis niñas les está empezando a gustar Petra 👍
Matheus Pereira
Excelente! Marcou época!