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.
Wandering Moon
Pierce Pettis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Autumn leaves are softly falling down,
Bags are packed and lying 'round,
Oh, I'm on my way to some other town.
Baby, take care,
I'll be home soon,
Driving tonight 'neath the wandering moon.
Sometimes I wish I was gone,
Sometimes I wish that I was home,
Wish I knew what wishing was for,
Sometimes I…I can't wish anymore.
Baby, take care,
I'll be home soon,
I'm driving tonight 'neath this wandering moon,
Oh, baby, take care,
I'll be home soon,
Driving tonight 'neath the wandering moon.
I am a father, I am a son,
I am no longer the only one,
St. Michael's angels watch over us all,
Help us make some sense of it all.
Baby, take care,
I'll be home soon,
Driving tonight 'neath the wandering moon,
Baby take care,
I'll be home soon,
I'll find my way back 'neath the wandering moon.
The lyrics of Pierce Pettis's song "Wandering Moon" express the feeling of restlessness and uncertainty that comes with constantly moving from one place to another. The singer describes the changing of the seasons, with the grass turning brown and leaves falling, and notes that their bags are packed as they prepare to leave for yet another destination. There's a sense of longing and a desire to find a place to call home, yet the singer appears to be torn between the notion of leaving and the comfort of settling down.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Baby, take care, I'll be home soon," suggesting a longing for companionship and a sense of connection to someone else. The "wandering moon" provides a poignant image, representing the singer's own wanderlust and perhaps also a sense of directionlessness as they travel.
The second verse continues with the theme of conflicting desires, as the singer admits to wishing both to be gone and to be home. There's a frustration in not knowing what to wish for, and a sense of being stuck in the in-between. The final verse brings in the idea of divine protectors, with St. Michael's angels watching over everyone and helping to make sense of the chaos of life.
Overall, the lyrics of "Wandering Moon" speak to the human desire for connection and stability, yet the difficulty of finding those things in a world that is constantly changing.
Line by Line Meaning
All the grass is turning brown,
The summer season is coming to an end as the green grass changes into brown color.
Autumn leaves are softly falling down,
During autumn, the tree leaves shed and fall softly from the trees.
Bags are packed and lying 'round,
The bags are all packed and scattered around the room, ready for the journey.
Oh, I'm on my way to some other town.
I am traveling to another town or place for some reason and I am on the way.
Baby, take care,
An affectionate address to his loved one to take care while he's on the way and he cares for her safety.
I'll be home soon,
Assurance that he will return home very soon.
Driving tonight 'neath the wandering moon.
Traveling at night under the light of the moon which appears to be wandering as the car moves.
Sometimes I wish I was gone,
At times, he wishes to be away from his current state or situation.
Sometimes I wish that I was home,
At times, he wishes to be back home with his loved ones.
Wish I knew what wishing was for,
He wishes to know the purpose and meaning of wishing or desiring something.
Sometimes I…I can't wish anymore.
At times, he feels like he lost the ability to wish or desire something due to some unknown factor.
I am a father, I am a son,
He defines his relationship and roles in life as a father and a son.
I am no longer the only one,
He is no longer the only person in his family and has become part of a bigger family unit.
St. Michael's angels watch over us all,
He believes that angels are looking after him and all of his family members.
Help us make some sense of it all.
He prays to the angels to aid them in understanding and making sense of everything happening in their lives.
I'll find my way back 'neath the wandering moon.
He reassures his loved ones that he will return home with the help of the wandering moonlight.
Contributed by Brody W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
billhallsongs
Thanks for posting..Have not heard this beautiful song by Pierce in years