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?