"Jekyll & Hyde" is a song by Petra. It was written and composed by Bob Hartman. The song was released in 2003 as part of the band's album of the same name. It was also included in the 40th Anniversary album released in 2013.
Song analysis and interpretation[]
"Jekyll & Hyde" borrows its title and concept from Robert Louis Stevenson's novella The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In it, a noble scientist struggles with an evil alter-ego after a failed experiment.
Songwriter Bob Hartman said in an interview that the song "is an intriguing look at the internal battle between right and wrong. It's about the fighting that goes on inside of us. It's like when Paul said, 'The things I want to do are the things I don't do, and the things I don't want to do are the things that I do.'" The quoted verse comes from Romans 7:14, which is listed in the album booklet as the song's inspiration.
The song then proceeds to compare the Christian's inner struggle between right and wrong, with the struggle of Dr. Jekyll to battle his evil persona.
Lyrics[]
Words and music by Bob Hartman
I have a secret that I let nobody see
An evil shadow that's been hanging over me
My alter ego that I try to hold at bay
But despite my good intentions he can always get away
He does the things that I don't want to do
Sometimes I feel like Jekyll and Hyde
Two men are fighting a war inside
I have this secret that I let nobody see
It's like a split personality
And the one I feed is the one who lives
The one I starve will be the one who gives
He won't do things that I know I should do
Sometimes I feel like Jekyll and Hyde
Two men are fighting a war inside
One gives, one takes, I have to decide
Sometimes I feel like Jekyll and Hyde
I need somebody to rescue me
When personalities clash
I know which person I want to be
With no defiance
Just God-reliance
Credits[]
- John Schlitt – Lead vocals
- Bob Hartman – Guitars
- Greg Bailey – Background vocals
- Peter Furler – Drums
Live version[]
"Jekyll & Hyde" was featured in the 2005 live album Petra Farewell. This performance features Greg Bailey on bass and Paul Simmons on drums.