A former staff writer for PolyGram Publishing in Nashville, Pettis' musical career was started in 1979 when Joan Baez covered his song, "Song at the End of the Movie", on her album Honest Lullaby. Following that release, Pettis became heavily involved in the "Fast Folk movement" in New York in the 1980s alongside artists such as Shawn Colvin and Suzanne Vega.
In 1984, Pettis released his first independent solo album, Moments, followed by a string of releases for High Street Records; While the Serpent Lies Sleeping, Tinseltown and Chase the Buffalo. None of these releases have made Pettis a household name, but his music has become extremely popular with other artists. His songs have been covered by artists like Dar Williams ("Family" on Mortal City), Garth Brooks ("You Move Me" on Sevens), Dion & the Belmonts, Sara Groves, Randy Stonehill and others.
In the early 1990s, Pettis developed a working relationship with songwriter and producer Mark Heard. Pettis was performing with Heard at the Cornerstone Festival in July of 1992, when Heard had a heart attack on stage. Heard finished the show, but collapsed off-stage afterwards and died the following August. That loss led to the start of a tradition for Pettis, who has started off each of his albums with one of Heard's songs since 1993's Chase the Buffalo, where he recorded Heard's "Nod Over Coffee". Other Heard covers include "Satellite Sky" (1996's Making Light of It), "Tip of My Tongue" (1998's Everything Matters), "Rise from the Ruins" (2001's State of Grace) and "Another Day in Limbo" (2004's Great Big World.) Pettis also appeared on a 1994 tribute to Heard entitled Strong Hand of Love.
In 1996, Pettis signed on with Compass Records and released Making Light of It, produced by David Miner (T-Bone Burnett, Elvis Costello), and featuring Derri Daugherty and Steve Hindalong of The Choir.
Two years later Everything Matters was released, produced by Grammy award winning Gordon Kennedy (who is best known for co-writing Eric Clapton's "Change the World.") Pettis followed that release with State of Grace in 2001, which featured cover art by the late southern folk artist Howard Finster.
2001 saw Pettis' most regionally oriented album, State of Grace released. 2004's Great Big World record saw Pettis collaborating with a number of other songwriters. In 2009 That Kind of Love included less of a regional focus. 2013 saw Pettis, along with Tom Kimmel and Kate Campbell, form the New Agrarians and release a debut album on the independent Due South label.
2019 saw the release of his album "Father's Son".
Pettis tours frequently, alternating between solo shows, concerts with the New Agrarians, and a double bill with his daughter Grace Pettis.
Hallelujah Song
Pierce Pettis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I was touched by grace – hallelujah,
There in that crowd you were smiling out loud,
And it put me in my place – hallelujah.
Oh, could it be? – hallelujah,
You here with me – hallelujah,
But I've felt your kiss; now I know angels exist,
Love without end,
Amen, amen.
And I seen the light – hallelujah,
Shining in your eyes – hallelujah,
Now I lay me down, with your arms wrapped all around,
Oh, you are my paradise – hallelujah.
The song "Hallelujah Song" by Pierce Pettis is a beautiful tribute to love and faith. The song describes the moment when the singer sees their loved one in a crowd and feels overwhelmed with emotion. The line "I saw your face – hallelujah," suggests that the sight of their loved one fills the singer with joy and praise. The phrase "touched by grace" adds to this sense of overwhelming emotion, suggesting that the singer feels divinely blessed by their loved one's presence.
The second verse deepens the theme of faith as the singer suggests that meeting their loved one is like encountering an angel. The line "now I know angels exist" suggests that the singer has found a kind of spiritual truth in their relationship. This is further underscored by the refrain, "Love without end, Amen, amen." Here, love is elevated to a kind of holy state, something that transcends the mundane and connects us to something greater.
Finally, the last verse emphasizes the physical intimacy of the relationship, with the singer laying down with their partner in a moment of perfect contentment. The phrase "you are my paradise" adds to this sense of peace and fulfillment, suggesting that the singer has found a kind of heavenly bliss in their partner's arms. Overall, the song conveys a powerful sense of hope and transcendence, showing how love can connect us to something greater than ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw your face – hallelujah,
I witnessed your presence and it filled me with joy and gratitude - hallelujah.
And I was touched by grace – hallelujah,
I felt the divine touch of grace upon me and it brought me to my knees - hallelujah.
There in that crowd you were smiling out loud,
Amidst the crowd, your radiant smile outshone everyone else's and humbled me.
And it put me in my place – hallelujah.
It made me realize my own insignificance and the beauty of something greater than myself - hallelujah.
Oh, could it be? – hallelujah,
The idea that you could be here with me is almost too much to comprehend - hallelujah.
You here with me – hallelujah,
The fact that you are here with me fills me with an indescribable sense of joy - hallelujah.
But I've felt your kiss; now I know angels exist,
Your kiss has confirmed my belief that angels are real and that you are one of them.
Oh, I do believe – hallelujah.
My faith in something greater than myself has been reaffirmed and strengthened - hallelujah.
Love without end,
A love that lasts for eternity and beyond.
Amen, amen.
So be it, let it be done.
And I seen the light – hallelujah,
I have witnessed the bright light of divinity and it has filled me with joy and wonder - hallelujah.
Shining in your eyes – hallelujah,
Your eyes reflect the light of the divine and it is a sight to behold - hallelujah.
Now I lay me down, with your arms wrapped all around,
With you holding me close, I feel safe and loved and can rest peacefully.
Oh, you are my paradise – hallelujah.
Being with you is like being in paradise, and for that I give thanks - hallelujah.
Contributed by Hailey F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.