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.
Trying to Stand in a Fallen World
Pierce Pettis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down to the highway and set it free
Where you can hear that rain slick sigh
Of the semis blowin' by
Do you ever feel this way
Like there is no escape
And you're out there all alone
Trying to stand in a fallen world
Do you recall when we were released
Clutching diplomas and degrees
Bursting out like diver's breath
That hasn't hit the surface yet
Do you ever feel this way
Like somehow we have been betrayed
And you wanna' rail against the crowd
Conspicuous and loud
Trying to stand in a fallen world
A bloody moon is on the rise
Like a Jolly Roger in the sky
A silent witness with its light
To another night of crime
Do you ever feel this way
Longing for the light of day
Then I send to you my song
And I swear you're not alone
Trying to stand in a fallen world
The lyrics of Pierce Pettis's song "Trying to Stand in a Fallen World" speak to the human experience of feeling lost, alone, and out of place in a world that seems to be falling apart. The first verse conjures up an image of driving down the highway in the rain, surrounded by the sounds of semis passing by. This creates a sense of movement and urgency, as if the singer is searching for escape from something. The second verse asks if the listener has ever felt this way, "like there is no escape / and you're out there all alone / in a place that's not your home." The use of the word "home" here is interesting, as it implies a sense of displacement, and the desire to connect to something or somewhere that is familiar and comforting.
The chorus, "Trying to stand in a fallen world," serves as a repetition of the main theme of the song. It speaks to the idea that we are all trying to navigate our way through a world that can feel chaotic and overwhelming at times. The bridge of the song describes a bloody moon rising, creating a menacing atmosphere. The image of the moon as a "silent witness" to the night's crimes adds to the sense of helplessness and despair that the song conveys. Finally, the last verse offers a glimmer of hope, with the singer sending their song to someone else who might be feeling lost and alone. This serves as a reminder that even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, we are all connected and can offer each other comfort through art and expression.
Line by Line Meaning
Won't you take this down for me
Can you do me a favor and write this down for me?
Down to the highway and set it free
Take it to the highway and release it there.
Where you can hear that rain slick sigh
In a place where you can hear the sound of rain and the passing trucks.
Of the semis blowin' by
From the semis that are passing by.
Do you ever feel this way
Have you ever experienced this feeling?
Like there is no escape
As if there is no way out.
And you're out there all alone
And you're alone out there.
In a place that's not your home
In a place that isn't where you belong.
Trying to stand in a fallen world
Attempting to remain upright, though the world around you is crumbling.
Do you recall when we were released
Do you remember when we were let go?
Clutching diplomas and degrees
Holding tightly onto our diplomas and degrees.
Bursting out like diver's breath
Coming out quickly like a diver's breath of air.
That hasn't hit the surface yet
That hasn't made it to the surface yet.
Like somehow we have been betrayed
In some way, it feels like we have been let down or deceived.
And you wanna' rail against the crowd
And you feel like yelling at the group of people around you.
Conspicuous and loud
Making yourself extremely visible and noticeable.
A bloody moon is on the rise
A dark red moon is appearing on the horizon.
Like a Jolly Roger in the sky
Like a pirate flag flying in the sky.
A silent witness with its light
Quietly observing with its illumination.
To another night of crime
To yet another night of unlawful acts.
Longing for the light of day
Wanting the daylight to come soon.
Then I send to you my song
Then I share my music with you.
And I swear you're not alone
And I promise that you aren't the only one experiencing this.
Trying to stand in a fallen world
Attempting to remain upright, though the world around you is crumbling.
Contributed by Arianna P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sonam Palmo
OMG...I can't believe this man's wonderful music is not being heard. I saw him years ago and his energy was unstoppable and his voice was vibrant.