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.
My little girl
Pierce Pettis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Careful, there she goes, my little girl.
School bus,
Bye-bye dad, hello world,
Fragile, handle with care my little girl.
First dance, junior high,
Careful whose hand you hold, my little girl.
World of wonder,
Wonder why you're turning so fast,
These moments won't last,
One by one, they come, they're gone,
No wonder I try to hold on.
White dress, veil of lace, string of pearls,
Young man, don't forget she's my little girl,
Careful, there she goes, my little girl.
The song "My Little Girl" by Pierce Pettis is a sentimental and emotional reflection of a father watching his daughter grow up before his eyes. The lyrics speak to the milestones in a young girl's life that her father is there to witness and guide her through. The first verse speaks to the innocence of a young girl on her first bike ride, with her pigtails flying and her pedals whirling, and how her father is cautious as he watches her go. The second verse is about her starting school, and the father's protective instincts are emphasized as he sees how fragile and delicate his little girl is, telling the world to "handle with care."
As the song progresses, the father watches his daughter grow up and experience new things like her first dance, junior high, and the wonder and excitement of life. Throughout it all, he is a guiding presence telling her to be careful and reminding her that he is there for her. In the final verse, the poignant moment of his daughter's wedding day is described, as he watches her in her white dress and veil, and reminds her new husband that she will always be his little girl. The father is bittersweet as he sees his daughter start a new chapter of her life, but also content in knowing that he has been there for her every step of the way.
Overall, the song is a touching tribute to the bond between a father and daughter, and the unconditional love and protective instincts that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
First bike – pigtails fly, pedals whirl,
The singer reminisces about their little girl's first bike ride, watching as her hair bounced and her feet pedaled for the first time, filled with the joy of exploring the world on her own.
Careful, there she goes, my little girl.
The singer expresses concern as their daughter embarks on new experiences, wishing to guard her from any potential harm or mistakes.
School bus,
The singer notes their daughter's transition from pre-school days to formal education.
Bye-bye dad, hello world,
The daughter confidently asserts her independence and readiness to face the world, waving goodbye to her father.
Fragile, handle with care my little girl.
The artist acknowledges that while their daughter is growing up and venturing out on her own, she is still emotionally sensitive and deserving of careful consideration.
First dance, junior high,
The singer recalls their daughter's teenage years, specifically her first school dance.
'Round and 'round she twirls,
The singer watches their daughter dance with all the enthusiasm and passion of youth.
Careful whose hand you hold, my little girl.
The artist imparts cautionary advice to their daughter about choosing the people she associates with, warning her to be mindful of who she trusts.
World of wonder,
The artist describes the incredible, awe-inspiring nature of the world and all the possibilities that exist within it.
Wonder why you're turning so fast,
The artist openly wonders why time seems to be flying by so quickly as they watch their daughter grow up and become an adult.
These moments won't last,
The singer acknowledges the fleeting nature of time and how important it is to cherish every moment with their daughter.
One by one, they come, they're gone,
The artist reflects on the series of milestones and experiences that make up life, recognizing how quickly they pass and how important they are to savor.
No wonder I try to hold on.
The singer admits their desire to hold onto the precious moments they have with their daughter, recognizing the preciousness and value of every moment they share.
White dress, veil of lace, string of pearls,
The singer envisions their daughter's wedding day, describing the traditional wedding outfit and accessories.
Young man, don't forget she's my little girl,
The singer issues a gentle reminder to their daughter's partner that she will always be their little girl, and that they should treat her with the love and respect she deserves.
Careful, there she goes, my little girl.
The artist repeats their earlier sentiment, wishing to watch over their daughter and protect her from harm as she takes on new experiences and moves forward in life.
Contributed by Liliana D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.