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/
Taste And See
Petra Lyrics
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And a precious diamond ring
When you stand before the Lord
Will it really mean a thing?
You've got to see how good your life can be
You've got to feel what's really, really real
How can you know until you taste and see
Taste and see that the Lord is good
He's got milk and honey for you
Come and dine at the Master's table,
He'll serve bread and wine to you
Well you tasted this and you tasted that
But you still ain't satisfied
You'll never find any peace of mind
In those empty things you tried
Don't be afraid of tasting something new
Your soul is hungry, nothing else will do
The bread of life will keep you satisfied
You won't go hungry or ever be denied
You've got to make up your mind
And leave your old life behind you
You know He'll take it away
Petra's "Taste and See" begins with a question about the value of material possessions. Questioning whether wealth and material possessions hold any value in front of the Lord. It then invites the listener to take a step back and see what is truly important in life. The song leads the listener to realize that there is something more than physical possessions and that only by experiencing the fullness of life in God will they find true satisfaction. The lyrics encourage the listener not to be satisfied with the physical world but to look for something more. The song talks about the benefits of tasting and seeing the goodness of God, which will ultimately satisfy the hunger of the soul.
The chorus then invites the listener to "taste and see that the Lord is good" with an invitation to come and dine at the Master's table. The song gives the assurance that the Lord can provide "bread and wine" that will satisfy the hunger of the soul and will bring true peace and satisfaction. The lyrics remind listeners that they won't find true peace from the temporary things of this world, but only by the sustenance given by the Lord.
Petra's "Taste and See" is an invitation to everyone to experience the love of God fully. It is a reminder that true security lies in the faith in the Lord and that the possessions of this world pale in comparison to the joy and peace that can be found in God.
Line by Line Meaning
If all you got is a fancy car
Having material possessions, such as a fancy car, alone will not hold value in the eyes of God during judgement.
And a precious diamond ring
Even having precious material possessions, like a diamond ring, will not matter when facing judgement from God.
When you stand before the Lord
When standing for judgement before God.
Will it really mean a thing?
Will material possessions matter in comparison to the rest of one's life during judgement?
You've got to see how good your life can be
One must realize the true quality and value of life.
You've got to feel what's really, really real
Exploring the inner spirit and discovering what is authentic and genuinely meaningful in life.
How can you know until you taste and see
To find out for one's self, a person must experience and try new things.
How good it is to be set free?
The joy and value of being liberated from worldly attachments.
Taste and see that the Lord is good
Encouragement to experience and truly understand the goodness and importance of God in one's life.
He's got milk and honey for you
The Lord has abundant blessings in store for those who embrace and follow his teachings.
Come and dine at the Master's table,
Invitation to join in a spiritual feast and experience God's love and wisdom.
He'll serve bread and wine to you
God will provide not only material blessings but also spiritual nourishment and fulfillment.
Well you tasted this and you tasted that
One may have tried out various experiences throughout life.
But you still ain't satisfied
Despite all experiences, the person still feels a lack of real fulfillment and purpose.
You'll never find any peace of mind
Searching for meaning and satisfaction in worldly possessions and experiences will not bring true inner peace or contentment.
In those empty things you tried
The pleasures and possessions of the world are shallow and temporary, devoid of true value or significance.
Don't be afraid of tasting something new
Fear can inhibit a person from experiencing something new, but it's important to overcome that fear and try new things in order to grow and learn.
Your soul is hungry, nothing else will do
There is a spiritual hunger within that can only be satisfied by discovering and living in accordance with one's true purpose.
The bread of life will keep you satisfied
Only true spiritual fulfillment and nourishment will truly satisfy a person's hunger and longing for purpose in life.
You won't go hungry or ever be denied
When a person aligns with their true purpose and follows God's path, they will never lack what they truly need in life.
You've got to make up your mind
A decision must be made to seek out what is truly purposeful and fulfilling in life.
And leave your old life behind you
Letting go of past attachments and patterns of behavior in order to embrace a new way of life.
You know He'll take it away
God will support and aid a person in moving away from their old life and discovering their true purpose and meaning.
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: BOB HARTMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Arthur Pendragon
I remember when this song got a lot of airplay on my local Christian radio station.
DRIvIN RAIN
Really great song. I've never heard Petra get so funky before. Bob should write some more tunes like this.
Clint the Cool Guy
Really great song! Love that 70’s funk!
Sole to soul
Definetly the 70s, very funkadelic. Yet, still one of my faves.
James M
Love it! Actually first heard Audio A cover it on Never say Dinosaur. That was a great track too. Petra Rulzzz
All things in common
what is never say dinosaur?
Eduardo Rocha
Petra Rocks
Flashlite Striker
I LOVE this band MOSTEST... yet NEVER KNEW that they put MY FAVORITEST Scripture to song, TOO!!! PTL!!!
Slippery Soap1047
Groovy 💓 🎵🎶!
drmjr78
Now this was still the 1970's. Even I, of all people, still liked disco then. It was in early 1980 that I turned against disco in favor of hard rock, but I was a teenager then, protesting against my snobby peers. Now I semi-tolerate disco, when I hear what sounds not only like a computer is playing it, but a computer even wrote it - makes disco sound at least halfway human with even a human drummer.