Manning also submitted keyboard work to artists such as Jet, Ringo Starr, Green Day, Angels & Airwaves, Diana Ross, Jamiroquai, Johnny Cash, Lisa Marie Presley, Morrissey, OPM and Sheryl Crow.
Roger lists his influences as keyboard-centric artists Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Jean-Luc Ponty, Chick Corea, Frank Zappa, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Brian Eno and Roxy Music, Steely Dan, Mahavishnu Orchestra as well as punk rock and New Wave bands like Gang of Four, Thomas Dolby, Peter Gabriel, Talking Heads, Elvis Costello, Buzzcocks, Dead Kennedys, Talk Talk, The Damned, XTC, Tears for Fears, Suicidal Tendencies, Madness and Wall of Voodoo.
Biography by Andrew Leahey
Pray For The Many
Roger Joseph Manning Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For they know not what they do
For in their hearts a trouble
And in their minds they’re so confused
Pray for the helpless
For in their words they trust in you
So keep them safe and sheltered
Pray for the many
Who’ve lost their way outside
Bring on the nightfall
With a light that shines so bright
Cry for the temptress
For in her world she lives to tease
While those confused by hunger
Sin away their soul to keep
Show them your promise
With a rainbow show so bright
Pray for the selfish
For their fear won’t let them live
They long for wealth and power
While their soul cries out to give
Yeah let them know they’re loved forever
And by this truth we all can live
In the song Pray For The Many by Roger Joseph Manning Jr., the lyrics urge us to pray for different individuals who are struggling with different issues. The song talks about the wicked, the helpless, the many who've lost their way, the temptress and the selfish. The lyrics encourage listeners to offer prayers and extend love and support to those who may be struggling with different issues in their lives. The first verse talks about praying for the wicked, who may not realize the consequences of their actions and are struggling with troubles in their hearts and minds. Yet, they deserve our prayers and we can hope that they find a way out of their confusion. The second verse talks about praying for the helpless, who often look towards us for shelter and protection, and we should pray that they fulfill their wishes in life. The song also urges us to cry for the temptress, who may be living a life that teases others but may be struggling with internal hunger that drives them to commit sinful acts. Finally, the song reminds us to pray for the selfish, whose fear of living may propel them to seek wealth and power at the expense of their soul.
Overall, the song emphasizes the importance of empathizing and offering support to those struggling with different aspects of their lives. Instead of judging or condemning them, we should offer prayers and extend love and support, recognizing that we are all connected and rely on each other for strength and compassion.
Line by Line Meaning
Pray for the wicked
Send your prayers towards those who have done wrong, for they are lost and know not what they do
For they know not what they do
The lost have no understanding of their actions and the effects they have on others
For in their hearts a trouble
Their hearts are heavy with burdens and struggles that they cannot overcome without guidance
And in their minds they're so confused
Their thoughts are muddled and disorganized, making it hard for them to see the right path
Pray for the helpless
Offer your prayers to those who are vulnerable and need assistance
For in their words they trust in you
They rely on your words and guidance to provide them with the help they need
So keep them safe and sheltered
Provide them with security and a place away from harm
And in their lives one wish come true
Grant them one wish in their life, as a symbol of hope for the future
Pray for the many
Call upon prayers for those who have lost their way and are struggling to find their path
Who've lost their way outside
They have strayed from their intended path and are lost in the world outside
Bring on the nightfall
The darkness of night will soon fall, which can be a time for reflection and self-discovery
With a light that shines so bright
Offer them a guiding light to help lead them out of the darkness and back towards their true path
Cry for the temptress
Empathize and mourn for those who seek to entice others into their world of temptation
For in her world she lives to tease
She is trapped in a cycle of seduction, offering false promises of pleasure to those who cannot resist her allure
While those confused by hunger
Others fall prey to their inner desires, giving in to temptation and losing sight of their moral compass
Sin away their soul to keep
They continue to sin, driven by their desires and losing a part of their soul each time they give in
Show them your promise
Demonstrate the hope and potential that life has to offer
With a rainbow show so bright
The vibrant beauty of a rainbow can symbolize new beginnings and hope for the future
Pray for the selfish
Offer your prayers to those who prioritize their own wants and desires above all else
For their fear won't let them live
Their fear drives them to act selfishly, holding them back from experiencing true joy and fulfillment
They long for wealth and power
They are driven by their desire for material gain and control over others
While their soul cries out to give
Deep down, they yearn to give of themselves to others, but their fears hold them back
Yeah let them know they're loved forever
Affirm your love and support for them, even in their selfishness, to show that they are not alone
And by this truth we all can live
Living by the truth of love and compassion for all people is a way to find true happiness and fulfillment in life
Contributed by Vivian P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.