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.
Thin Red Line
Pierce Pettis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Guess he just lost his balance; it was windy up that high,
Saw it all on my TV screen, whole thing was broadcast live,
I almost wept when I saw him step over the thin red line.
Over the line.
She didn't see her face in the mirror with the expression of the dead,
Cutting off communication, cutting classes, killing time,
In its wake the razor's trace leaves only a thin red line.
Only a line,
Oh, only a line.
I want to drop all of this pretence of thinking I understand,
Stop all this common sense before it gets out of hand,
People whistling in dark; we never let it cross our minds,
'Til the brakes squeal you white knuckle the wheel, crossing over the thin red line.
Oh, oh,
Only a line.
Lazarus, tell my brother there is so little time,
I woke up from a bad dream with this ringing in my mind,
Watching the pendulum swing like you could measure the stuff with time,
Some say we hang by a spider's thread, I say it's only a thin red line.
Thin red line.
Oh, it's only a line,
Thin red line,
Yeah,
I'm gonna cross that line,
Oh, gonna cross that line,
You gotta cross that line,
(fade)
The song "Thin Red Line" by Pierce Pettis is a profound reflection on the fragility of life and the choices we make that can lead us to cross over the "thin red line" between existence and non-existence. The opening lines describe a man on a high wire, struggling to prove himself, and ultimately losing his balance and stepping over the line. This image is a powerful metaphor for the way our own egos can lead us to take risks that jeopardize our well-being. When we become too focused on our own desires and ambitions, we can become blind to the dangers that surround us, both internally and externally.
The next verse tells the story of a woman who cuts herself with a razor, leaving behind only a thin red line. This line represents the physical and emotional pain that she is in, and the way that her actions have isolated her from the world around her. The razor is also a symbol of the self-destructive impulses that can drive us to harm ourselves and others. The final verse reflects on the way that we often ignore the signs of danger that surround us, until it's too late. The image of the pendulum swinging back and forth represents the way that time is always ticking away, and the urgency of the choices we make. The line "some say we hang by a spider's thread, I say it's only a thin red line" captures the sense of precariousness and vulnerability that pervades the song.
Overall, "Thin Red Line" is a haunting and poignant exploration of the human condition, and the way that our choices can shape our lives in ways we can't always anticipate. It's a reminder to be mindful of the risks we take, and to cultivate a deeper awareness of the forces that shape us.
Line by Line Meaning
Saw an old man on a high wire, trying to prove himself one lost time,
Observed an elderly man on a tightrope, attempting to demonstrate his abilities once again.
Guess he just lost his balance; it was windy up that high,
Perhaps he just lost his footing due to the gusty winds at that height.
Saw it all on my TV screen, whole thing was broadcast live,
Witnessed the entire incident from the comfort of my TV, relayed in real-time.
I almost wept when I saw him step over the thin red line.
I could barely hold back the tears when I saw him cross over the boundary that marked the edge of the tightrope.
She didn't see her face in the mirror with the expression of the dead,
She could not perceive her own face in the reflection, as it seemed lifeless and void.
As her fingers held the razor, leaving everything in shreds,
With steady hands, she wielded the blade, leaving a trail of destruction.
Cutting off communication, cutting classes, killing time,
Avoiding all forms of interaction, skipping educational sessions, and wasting valuable time in idle pursuits.
In its wake the razor's trace leaves only a thin red line.
As it passed, the razor left behind nothing but a faint trail of red.
I want to drop all of this pretence of thinking I understand,
I aspire to discard the facade of completely comprehending situations.
Stop all this common sense before it gets out of hand,
Terminate these rational thought processes before they turn into obsessive notions.
People whistling in dark; we never let it cross our minds,
Individuals tunelessly singing in the darkness, frequently omitted from our thought processes.
'Til the brakes squeal you white knuckle the wheel, crossing over the thin red line.
Only when the brakes screech and you tightly grip the steering wheel, would you bravely take the plunge and cross the narrow boundary.
Lazarus, tell my brother there is so little time,
Resurrected one, notify my sibling of how little time is left.
I woke up from a bad dream with this ringing in my mind,
I was jolted awake by a nightmare, and this idea continued to haunt me.
Watching the pendulum swing like you could measure the stuff with time,
Observing the oscillating pendulum, as if one could quantify its motion with time units.
Some say we hang by a spider's thread, I say it's only a thin red line.
Some argue that our existence is tenuous, akin to hanging by a spider's silk; however, I claim that it is just a delicate and scarce boundary line.
Oh, it's only a line,
It is merely a line.
Thin red line,
A sliver of faint red.
Yeah,
Indeed,
I'm gonna cross that line,
I will steadfastly step over that line.
Oh, gonna cross that line,
Yes, determined to cross it.
You gotta cross that line,
You too must cross the line.
Contributed by Charlotte H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
A. Clayton Vandiver, M.Ed.
A National Treasure and brilliant singer songwriter for these many years. Pierce is worth the trip to any venue. Anytime. Amazing and touching lyrics and music that melts the coldest heart.
Ryc Ward
I love this music! I've been a fan ever since I heard St. Paul's Song 12 years ago.
Pierce is one of those rare songwriters talents you always hope to find, that sing straight from the heart while at the same time have their feet planted firmly on the ground. These guys are helping bring Heaven a little closer to earth with every song.
His daughter is a blessing to this world, too - amazing and beautiful expression of what music can do when it's done right.
A. Clayton Vandiver, M.Ed.
Pierce is one of the premier singer/songwriters of our generation. His lyrics and music transport listeners deep inside their own hearts and to places and experiences that define our generation. He effortlessly weaves his magic to audiences both small and large across the planet. Many years ago in the face of an oncoming hurricane that kept all but two of us away I had the pleasure of an almost private concert in south Florida. I had known Pierce for five years by then and had been singing his music in California and north Florida for fifteen. In a steady diet of John Denver, Peter Paul and Mary, Gordon Lightfoot, Joan Baez, John Gorka, Don Dunaway, Simon and Garfunkle, and my own relative Bill Monroe I place my pal Pierce near the top of the list as an essential part of any musical diet.
KK Renken
"I wish them well...away from me.". A long time favorite line from Pierce. I sure am glad you got to my home state, Pierce. I miss you from my Sykesville, MD days.
Mitch Santell
Searching the net for songs remembered in my youth and came across this artist. Thank you for sharing his talent. Great Song Writer.
Sheila Calabrese
Pierce Pettis is a great storyteller. I went to school with him in Alabama (Huntingdon College). He is a great "unsung" talent.
rpbizzle
great music
Chapman James
Saw him in Decatur AL in 2014... GREAT Show!
Michael Shipma
I missed that one and was really bummed.
dulcimerdan
I know him.