Peyton Manning (18) of the Denver Broncos walks through the crowd as the confetti flies after the Broncos win. The Denver Broncos played the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on February 7, 2016. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)
Singer-songwriter Chris Thile — along with a bevy of other musicians — performed an ode to Peyton Manning last Saturday on “A Prairie Home Companion”
As one of my colleagues told me, “the song totally captures how folks feel about him. He is a folk hero across the state” of Tennessee.
The song, “Omahallelujah,” is a reference to his oft-used call at the line.
“Omaha is not only a lovely city in Nebraska,” Thile said, “but also a word Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning often shouts for no apparent reason.”
:
Lyrics:
I’m 12 years old
Growing up in Maryville, Tennessee
We all watched the Vols
Taking a weekly beating in the SEC
And then the whole town talks about
How good we used to be
Way back when Peyton
Peyton Manning was our QB
Guess I thought he died (thought he died)
Based on the tears
That tend to well in the grown-up eyes
So just imagine when I just beheld
The man making Sunday brunch
Of the best defense of the NFL
Is that God or Peyton Manning?
I cannot tell
I’ll follow him
All over the map
From Indianapolis to Denver
Slice of Papa John for dinner
Omahallelujah
We bow our heads
One nation
In shotgun formation
Out of the no-huddle
With No. 18 calling audibles (Omaha!)
Omahallelujah
And now I watch the news
There’s been some wear and tear between
This and that Super Bowl (nine years ago)
Where they named you MVP
But these allegations of HGH are just low and mean
I bet you Peyton Manning
They’re from New England
On the eve of what could well be your last ride
Listen to me
Oh Peyton, just like Nationwide
I’m on your side
So is everyone outside of the Carolinas
Sorry, Cam Newton
Peyton’s going to be doing the dab this time
We followed him
All over the map
From Indianapolis to Denver
Slice of Papa John for dinner
Omahallelujah
We bow our heads
One nation
In shotgun formation
Out of the no-huddle
With No. 18 calling audibles (Omaha!)
Omahallelujah
I’ll see you there
I prayed to Peyton
Peyton Manning can hear our prayers
(He really can)
I prayed to Peyton
Peyton Manning has heard our prayers
Ah-Manning
