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.
Miriam
Pierce Pettis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When God stepped into the world
Held in the arms of a little girl
Named Miriam
Who would ever believe
Your fiance, your family
The teenage pregnancy
But laws of nature were suspended
Death sentences rescinded
Throughout all the world
And all because of a little girl named Miriam
Medieval paintings glaring down
Stony figures judge and frown
Wearing a halo like a crown
Could that be Miriam
Gentile temples stained glass swirls
Cherubim with golden curls
How unlike your Hebrew world
Miriam
I don't know if you ascended
I don't care what's been amended
There was one sure miracle
The faith of a little girl named Miriam
Oh you are blessed indeed
Blessed is the fruit of your tree
Yeshua kings of kings
And son of Miriam
No banners were unfurled
When God stepped into the world
Held in the arms of a little girl
Named Miriam
The lyrics of Pierce Pettis's song Miriam depict the story of the birth of Jesus from a unique perspective - that of Mary's, or Miriam's. The lyrics beautifully portray how Mary's teenage pregnancy with Jesus would have been perceived by people around her. The song starts with the line: "No banners were unfurled, when God stepped into the world", which is a powerful statement. It suggests that Jesus' birth was not as glamorous and celebrated as one would like to believe. The lyrics "Held in the arms of a little girl named Miriam" is an allusion to Mary, who became the mother of Jesus. Pierce Pettis explains how Mary's pregnancy and subsequent birth of Jesus would have shocked the people around her - her fiance, her family and the community. The lines "But laws of nature were suspended/death sentences rescinded" suggest that the birth of Jesus was a miraculous event, which went against the laws of nature.
Line by Line Meaning
No banners were unfurled
There was no grand celebration or announcement when God entered the world.
When God stepped into the world
When God was born as a human and entered the physical world.
Held in the arms of a little girl
God was cradled and held by a young girl named Miriam.
Named Miriam
This little girl who held God in her arms was called Miriam.
Who would ever believe
It was hard for people to believe that Miriam, a young girl, was carrying the Son of God.
Your fiance, your family
Even Miriam's loved ones, like Joseph her fiance and her family, may have doubted her story.
The teenage pregnancy
Miriam got pregnant at a young age, which added to the doubt of her carrying God's child.
But laws of nature were suspended
Despite the disbelief, nature seemed to defy normal rules and allowed God's birth to happen through Miriam.
Death sentences rescinded
Jesus, the son of Miriam, came to give life and override the punishment of death that humans faced.
Throughout all the world
The impact of Jesus's birth and life can be felt everywhere.
And all because of a little girl named Miriam
Miriam's role in giving birth to Jesus played a huge part in the transformation of the world.
Medieval paintings glaring down
Images from past eras depicting Miriam can appear imposing and intimidating.
Stony figures judge and frown
Many depictions of religious figures may look stern and disapproving.
Wearing a halo like a crown
Miriam is often shown in artwork wearing a halo around her head to indicate her saintly status.
Could that be Miriam
The imagery around Miriam can sometimes lead to confusion and doubt over who she really was.
Gentile temples stained glass swirls
In other religious beliefs, including Christianity, Miriam is often portrayed in the colorful glass of places of worship.
Cherubim with golden curls
These images often feature cherubim, angelic children with golden hair, surrounding Miriam.
How unlike your Hebrew world
This imagery is different from Miriam's background as a Hebrew woman.
I don't know if you ascended
The singer doesn't know if Miriam ever ascended into heaven.
I don't care what's been amended
The artist is not concerned with the changes or amendments made to religious beliefs over time.
There was one sure miracle
One thing is certain: the miracle of Jesus's birth that came through Miriam.
The faith of a little girl named Miriam
The unwavering faith of Miriam played a significant role in the birth of Jesus and the transformation of Christianity.
Oh you are blessed indeed
Miriam is highly regarded and seen as a blessed woman.
Blessed is the fruit of your tree
Her son Jesus is also seen as a blessed and miraculous figure.
Yeshua kings of kings
Jesus is referred to as a powerful king who rules over all kings.
And son of Miriam
Jesus's mother Miriam played a crucial role in bringing him into the world.
Contributed by Sadie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.