Peter's Denial
Yvonne Elliman Lyrics
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I think I've seen you somewhere I remember
You were with that man they took away
I recognize your face
[Peter]
You've got the wrong man lady I don't know him
And I wasn't where he was tonight - never near the place
That's strange for I'm sure I saw you with him
You were right by his side and yet you denied -
[Peter]
I tell you I was never ever with him
Old man:
But I saw you too - it looked just like you
[Peter]
I don't know him!
Mary Magdalene:
Peter - don't you know what you have said
You've gone and cut him dead
[Peter]
I had to do it don't you see?
Or else they'd go for me
Mary Magdalene:
That's what he told us you would do -
I wonder how he knew ...
The lyrics of Yvonne Elliman's song "Peter's Denial" tell the story of Peter's denial of his association with Jesus before his crucifixion, as recorded in the Bible. The maid by the fire salutes Peter, believing he was with the man that was taken away. However, Peter denies it, and the soldier reveals to him that he saw them together. Peter repeats his denial, but then an old man claims to have seen him with Jesus. Ultimately, Peter denies him once more, and Mary Magdalene reproaches him for his act, as it was what Jesus had predicted he would do.
The song's lyrics are unique in that they tell the story of Peter's denial in a conversational format, where different people address Peter, asking him about his association with Jesus. They also evoke the distress that Peter went through as he faced the possibility of being connected to Jesus and put to death alongside him. Through the different interactions, one gets a sense of how pressure, fear, and the desperate need to protect oneself could lead one to deny people they are closely associated with, even when they know it is wrong.
Line by Line Meaning
Maid by the fire:
A woman sitting near the fire initiates the conversation
I think I've seen you somewhere I remember
She remembers seeing Peter somewhere before
You were with that man they took away
She saw Peter with Jesus who was arrested
I recognize your face
She identifies Peter's face
[Peter]
Peter responds to the woman by denying the accusation
You've got the wrong man lady I don't know him
Peter claims that he is not the one she is talking about
And I wasn't where he was tonight - never near the place
Peter claims that he was not even near Jesus' whereabouts
Soldier:
A soldier joins the conversation
That's strange for I'm sure I saw you with him
The soldier contradicts Peter claiming that he saw him with Jesus
You were right by his side and yet you denied -
The soldier is confused as to why Peter is denying knowing Jesus despite standing next to him
[Peter]
Peter insists on not knowing Jesus
I tell you I was never ever with him
Peter claims to have never been with Jesus
Old man:
An old man enters the conversation
But I saw you too - it looked just like you
The old man confirms that he saw Peter with Jesus
[Peter]
Peter again emphasizes not knowing Jesus
I don't know him!
Peter denies knowledge of Jesus again
Mary Magdalene:
Mary Magdalene enters the conversation
Peter - don't you know what you have said
Mary confronts Peter about his denial of Jesus
You've gone and cut him dead
Peter has abandoned and disowned Jesus
[Peter]
Peter explains his motive
I had to do it don't you see?
Peter felt compelled to deny Jesus out of fear
Or else they'd go for me
Peter was afraid of being persecuted or punished
Mary Magdalene:
Mary points out the prophecy
That's what he told us you would do -
Jesus had predicted Peter's denial
I wonder how he knew ...
Mary wonders how Jesus knew about Peter's denial
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, TIM RICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind