In light of the sad, sad news of the latest school shootings, and the concerns, generally, about helping students relate faith and life, living meaningfully in the face of the hard stuff of our damaged culture, I thought of this beloved song, a song I’ve played in collegiate workshops and faith-in-the-real-world kind of talks, especially with students. I think of my younger friends—like those at the Ocean City Beach Project, say, or the younger staff of the CCO, or my old confirmation class kids, most of whom are now away at school—and I just nearly cry. It is good to hear, not just in the news, but, here, “the bloody moon is on the rise” and yet “I swear you’re not alone.”
Have you ever felt this way? Longing for the light of day?

TRYING TO STAND IN A FALLEN WORLD
Pierce Pettis ©1993 Piercepettisongs (ASCAP)
Won't you take this down for me
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
In a place that's not your home

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
I've been told that Pierce wrote this song for the
memorial service of songwriter and friend, Mark Heard.
Click here for the Pierce Pettis website.