9/11: Responding through Music

Subject: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: GUEST,Timbrel
Date: 15 Sep 01 - 05:20 PM

Hi, everyone. First, thoughts and prayers for all of us as we work through this tragedy and our response.

Like all of us, I continue to want to do SOMETHING. Because I'm a musician, the lyrics and melodies of significant songs keep coming to me...the song varies with my changing thoughts, from the patriotic tunes we learned as kids to Civil Rights freedom songs to rebel songs to peace songs to hymns...

I wonder, what songs are coming to your minds? Is anyone writing songs, and if so, what do they express?

And also...has anyone in the musical community put together or participated in a musical event related to the crisis? What is it? How have you organized it? How effective was it?

I PLEAD that this thread remain free of argument and debate. If you want to do that, post on another thread, there are plenty. I hope that people will concentrate on the human language of its music and its ability to heal, move, motivate, and console.

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: The Shambles
Date: 15 Sep 01 - 05:47 PM

I have just seen the Last Night of the Proms on UK TV.

It was a little known piece by some chap called Beethoven.

It may not have been written for the occasion but I have never heard anything so stirring and performed with such defiance.

Subject: Lyr Add: A DIFFERENT KIND (Katrina Gall)
From: The Shambles
Date: 15 Sep 01 - 06:11 PM

Ode to joy, indeed it was...

A Different Kind by Mrs Shambles

Taken from the cradle, you bent them to your will,
Born for you to sacrifice, whilst teaching them to kill.
You taught them how to use the gun, the knife, the hands, the heart,
Children of obedience, they've learnt to play their part.
Do they call you father, Hitler or Saddam?
You nurture their dependence, they act at your command,
The history of their nation, distorted and confused,
While they keep asking questions, you see they're yours to use.

Watch them grow but keep in mind,
The power of your destruction, is building from behind.
Heartless souls have leaned to find,
That the murder of their innocence, has bred; a different kind.

But when the rage is over, the wind is blowing cold,
Do you think they'll put away the toys they know of old?
Returning to their families, a viper in the nest,
You'll find they'll teach their loved ones to skills that they know best.
A country born of murder, a country born of lust,
Rallying together, where can you place your trust?
There are no moral boundaries, living in your land,
They won't accept surrender by the raising of your hand.

Watch them grow but keep in mind,
The power of your destruction, is building from behind.
Heartless souls have leaned to find,
That the murder of their innocence, has bred; a different kind.

You chose to fuel the furnace, you chose to use the small,
They did the fighting for you, whilst you hid behind closed doors.
Machines of your destruction, you failed to see had grown,
Turning now to face you are the seeds that you had sown.
No longer seen as saviour, leader or their God,
They seek to overthrow you and feed you to the dogs.
They'll fight and kill to gain the prize, awarded to the few,
Is it with pride, you turn to see they've grown to be like you?

Watch them grow but keep in mind,
The power of your destruction, is building from behind.
Heartless souls have leaned to find,
That the murder of their innocence, has bred; a different kind.

Watch them grow but keep in mind,
The power of your destruction, is building from behind.
Heartless souls have leaned to find,
That the murder of their innocence, has bred; a different kind.

Katrina Gall 1998

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: Jeri
Date: 15 Sep 01 - 07:57 PM

There's a bunch of songs in New Songs for 9-11-01"

I posted one here. 2nd line, 1st verse edited to: "If you willingly serve them, you are the ones." It's sort of angry, though. (I also think I may have killed the thread with it - sorry if it was me.)

This absolutely beautiful lyric was posted by I,hurricaine.

As to events, most of those I've seen so far have been folks just singing spontaneously - no performers. I have no doubt that many previously scheduled gigs have shifted to grief, hope, and coming-together themes.

Maybe the best songs for this time are the ones everyone can sing, whether they're the ones people already know, or ones that are very easy to learn. This, of course, is only one opinion. It just seems like maybe folks really want someone to hear they're voice, and a performer can make that possible.

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: Ebbie
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 12:34 AM

We're planning an event, with the working title of 'Music for Peace and Relief' for the first weekend in October.

We're working on details right now but so far the gist is that we will advertise it and have musicians sign up to play, instead of the other way around. In addition, the idea is that from time to time someone will lead the audience in songs, just to dissipate or alternatively, crystallize the heaviness we all feel.

It will be a pot luck and we plan to go through United Way in gathering donations and pledges.

We are also, in a separate action, discussing the possibility of staging a city-wide event in Appreciation of Our Heroes: the firefighters, the electrical maintenance people, the police and the Coast Guard- people who every day in their work lives willingly put themselves into harm's way.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: GUEST,Scorpio
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 12:42 AM

Has anyone mentioned "God On Our Side,"
"Lean On Me," (which I head a gospel group in New York singing today), or
"Let There Be Peace On Earth?"

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: The Shambles
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 05:31 AM

A Song For Mudcatters, which still hasn't a proper title.

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 06:28 AM

Tonight in Brattleboro Vermont, a huge group of us will be singing Finlandia. These words have never seemed so needed.

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: Ebbie
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 12:05 PM

We Can Sing It! Great lyrics, Shambles. What is the time on it?

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: The Shambles
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 12:30 PM

Give it a good strum, like 'circle be unbroken'. We Can Sing It, sounds good,.......So be it.

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 12:52 PM

Last night we had our weekly Saturday Night Service. We had held non-musical services all week for the tragedy, and that morning we had already held a women's event that had been scheduled. (The music planned for that was adjusted for the events of 9/11 and prayers for the situation were added. I wasn't involved with that event's planning or the music, but it sure was a good event that helped many.)

But last night we had to choose the music for the first regular service to occur after 9/11, and it was interesting how we thought about it, I think.

We wanted to aconowledge these events and pray, and help people heal from them, but we also were very aware that the primary focus at a communion service should be Jesus, and when we think of Jesus we are to praise... so we chose with some care.

We opened with a spiritual, "I Want Jesus to Walk With Me." The tune is majestic and terrible in its minor beauty, and the song is a sort of prayer. I remarked, to acknowledge what was on all our minds, that when we had first introduced this song just two weeks previously we could never have contemplated needing it so much NOW.

After the brief and familiar prayers that followed, we did a blues gospel piece called "God Don't Never Change." I remarked that blacks in the time it was written, IMO, knew a lot about joy in the midst of suffering, and perhaps we could try their model.... it went well.

For an offertory I asked the congregation to sing with me, "God Leads Us Along," and it was very quietly and beautifully sung.

During the communion I tolled autoharp chords for the piece we would close with. Planning to sing it fast and happy, I played it now just very slowly and sparely as people received communion.

We closed with that piece, done uptempo as it should be-- "Wings of a Dove."

Before the service, people had stopped by my music station to talk about what had happened. Tears were shed, soft words were said. But as people left, we deliberately did NOT engage anyone in talking about it and when people brought it up we encouraged them to lighten up for a little while and rest in Christ's joy... a break needed from all this, to gather new strength to grieve yet more.

(All those songs are posted I think.)

Thinking all this over today, I've volunteered to do the same weekly at another church that has no music and a broken, drug-infested town of miscreants occupying the few homes left from a previously-booming mine town.... it's a sad place on the best of days. I offered to do a Sunday AM version of what we do on Saturdays, since I do not go to our church on Sundays, and to do a weekly weeknight thing with music only, no prayer, just as a community service.

~Susan

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: Jeri
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 12:55 PM

Shambles, what about "The Same Song?"

Time Has Made A Change In Me

Quite Early Morning, which I found on a search for something else. I'd be tempted to tweak the lyrics a bit. There's no tune or notes indicating where the song came from.

Strange, but Die Stem Van Suid-Afrika , the South African National Anthem has some amazing and appropriate (in my opinions) lyrics.

In the golden warmth of summer,
In the chill of winter's air,
In the surging life of springtime,
In the autumn of despair;
When the wedding bells are chiming,
Or when those we love depart,
Thou dost know us for thy children
And dost take us to thy heart.
Loudly peals the answering chorus;
We are thine, and we shall stand,
Be it life or death, to answer
Thy call, beloved land.

I find it amazing that, other than the title, there's no mention of the country. Although it has a religious theme, this could be sung by anyone, anywhere.

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: GUEST,Timbrel
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 03:37 PM

Wow...keep 'em coming. The power of music is indeed strong. Thought I'd add some of the songs from my experiences...

At a prayer service Wednesday night, the main hymn was "Make Me a Channel of thy Peace". I heard Sinead O'Connor singing this on the radio this morning -- recorded at a concert for peace, I think in Ireland.

Tomorrow night at a weekly traditional-music performance I'll be leading "There But for Fortune" by Phil Ochs (if I can get through it) and the sea song "Paul Jones". It has a rousing, simple chorus -- "Hurrah, our country forever, hurrah." though it's a bit martial.

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: Haruo
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 04:23 PM

I posted "Four Hymns for the Present Crisis on my website. One, O God, Our Words Cannot Express by Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette of Pitman, NJ, was actually written Tuesday afternoon. (It was circulated to the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America email list, which is where I got it.)

Liland

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: Tedham Porterhouse
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 06:41 PM

On Thursday morning, I took a break from the television coverage and listened to Mike Regenstreif's Folk Roots/Folk Branches radio program. Mike said that he put aside the program that he'd prepared before the tragedy and replaced it with songs of hope, contemplation and catharsis.

You can see the playlist on the ckutfolk website:

http://www.ckutfolk.com/sept1301.htm#Sept1301

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: Linda Allen
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 09:53 PM

Hi, Folks - Glad to find this thread here. I've sung at four events now. I've been using "Love Will Guide Us", with Sally Roger's words. I've also used Charlie Murphy's "Light is Returning" and "And Everyone 'Neath The Vine and Fig Tree...". "Finlandia" is a wonderful choice. I've also just written some words out of my own need for healing...music is still to come. Please forgive me...I haven't posted in a long time and I can't seem to find out how to do page breaks.
Peace to you all in these hard times.

©2001 Linda Allen
Here in my garden there's work to be done
Tomatoes need pruning, there's too little sun
The roses are lovely, all yellow and red
Five thousand people are dying or dead

The mums need re-planting, the dahlias are through
I've seldom seen hyacinths such a fine blue
I reach for a plum and I stare at the sky
Five thousand innocent people have died

Sunflowers bowing their heads to the ground
Hollyhocks falling with hardly a sound
I'll stay in my garden until it gets dark
Five thousand people are dead in New York

The apple tree's loaded with fruit ripe and red
It was planted in love on the day we were wed
What seeds have been planted to reap such a harvest
Five thousand people - my God! - are all dead

---

Hi Linda. For line breaks, just type <br> at the end of each line. --JoeClone

Subject: ADD
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 10:19 PM

Linda, we have not met yet but you are ALWAYS welcome at Mudcat. I've done your line breaks for you-- hope they are correct--

~Susan

================================================

„¶2001 Linda Allen

Here in my garden there's work to be done
Tomatoes need pruning, there's too little sun
The roses are lovely, all yellow and red
Five thousand people are dying or dead

The mums need re-planting, the dahlias are through
I've seldom seen hyacinths such a fine blue
I reach for a plum and I stare at the sky
Five thousand innocent people have died

Sunflowers bowing their heads to the ground
Hollyhocks falling with hardly a sound
I'll stay in my garden until it gets dark
Five thousand people are dead in New York

The apple tree's loaded with fruit ripe and red
It was planted in love on the day we were wed
What seeds have been planted to reap such a harvest
Five thousand people - my God! - are all dead

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: PaulBobbyBuzz
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 10:59 PM

I've been copying so many of the thoughts I find here to pass on to those of my friends and family, young and not so young, who see military action, retaliation, revenge ("just bomb the hell out of the Middle East") as the only response. It especially saddens my heart to hear these sentiments from the young, yet I hope that it's more naive bravado and fear and pain that causes it than true belief(altho' I wonder where their parents stand)...anyway thank you all for what I knew would be the Mudcatter's response...My wife & I offered "God on Our Side" at an ecumenical prayer service, but were told "not at this time, maybe too raw", but the sentiment of the song was appreciated. We settled on "Song of St. Francis"...a worthy compromise. My step-daughter and I are working on something long-distance. If she gives me the o.k., I'll post it. God bless us all PBB

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: MAG
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 11:27 PM

I'll second "Song of St. Francis," also aka "Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace." My tri-Hi-Y club did this in high school -- actually, we did a lot of great songs: I've been trying to track down "The House I live In" -- Josh White or Sonny Rollins versions, not Frank's; not that it's bad. (Yeah, I'll have to go check the DB.) We did "Let there be peace on Earth," too. (and yes, we won the competition all four years. a lotta good singers in that group of old buddies.)

I've been playing Phil Ochs' "Power and Glory" to and for myself.

At my UU church this a.m. we sang the children out after their story, as usual, with

Go now in peace
Go now in peace
May the spirit of love surround you
Everywhere, everywhere, you may go.

This one was ne to me, and I already forgot the tune -- sung to the children to let them know we will keep them safe:

Circle Chant

Circle 'round for freedom, circle 'round for peace
For all of us imprisoned, circle for release
Circle for the planet, circle for each soul
For the circle of our children, keep the circle whole.
noted Linda Hirschhorn, 1982, presumably copyrighted.

This one may or may not be in the UU hymnal; we all know it so well we never need a book: anyway, it's by Ruth Pelham, 1982(c), and is among my favorites:

Turning of the World

Let us sing this song for the TURNING of the world
That we may TURN as one
With every voice, with every song, we will move this world along
And our lives will feel the echo of our TURNING.

zipper in: loving/love
healing/heal
dreaming/dream

Shalom/Salaam. MAG

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: Burke
Date: 17 Sep 01 - 09:12 AM

This thread really needs a link to the Gospel Sing. No discussion of what it's all about, just hymns that speak what some of us have been feeling.

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Sep 01 - 09:17 AM

Good, Burke.

PaulBobbyBuzz-- aren't you the nursing home dude as well? Hardiman had a service at one last night-- WWII-era people are taking this hard. Better plan on some extra time over there. People needing to talk, especially.

~Susan

Subject: Lyr Add: PRIDE OF MAN^^^
From: Jim the Bart
Date: 17 Sep 01 - 09:52 AM

I played on Saturday night and found much comfort in singing with friends and family. I also found so many lines from songs taking on new meaning in the light of what had occurred on 9-11. I did requests (as I always do) and when someone asked for James Taylor (although I neither look nor sound like him) I thought "Fire and Rain" would be appropriate. I was OK until I got to "Sweet Dreams and Flying Machines in pieces on the ground".

As I was going through my book to find songs that might fit, I was struck by one that seemed eerily prophetic. It was written in the 60's by Hamilton Camp, and recorded by Quicksilver Messenger Service and the Washington Squares, and couldn't be closer to the truth today.

PRIDE OF MAN

Turn around, go back down; back the way you came
Can't you see that flash of fire ten times brighter than the day
And behold the mighty city, broken in the dust again
Oh God, the pride of Man, broken in the dust again.

Turn around, go back down; back the way you came
Terror is on every side, know your leaders are dismayed
All those who place their faith in fire, in the fire shall be repaid
Oh God, the pride of Man, broken in the dust again.

It shall cause your towers to fall make a viewing pyre of flame
Oh you who dwell in many waters, rich in treasure, wide in fame
You bow to your god of gold and pride of might shall be ashamed
For only God can lead his people back unto the earth again
Oh God, the pride of Man, broken in the dust again.

God's holy mountain be restored, have mercy on the people, Lord
Oh God, the pride of Man, broken in the dust again.^^^

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: MAG
Date: 17 Sep 01 - 11:22 AM

Oh, yeah, "Morning has Broken," too. Lots of people used that yesterday (Sunday).

We had our 3rd Saturday dance as usual and by mutual consent took a break from the news. We were taking some good advice from a good source. Just playing and dancing, for a break.

Subject: Lyr Add: WE'LL BUILD A LAND
From: GUEST,Sonja
Date: 17 Sep 01 - 04:11 PM

WE'LL BUILD A LAND

We'll Build A Land where we bind up the broken.
We'll Build A Land where the captives go free,
Where the oil of gladness dissolves all mourning,
Oh, We'll build a promised land that can be.

Chorus:
Come, Build A Land where sisters and brothers,
Annointed by God, may then create peace;
Where justice shall roll down like waters,
And peace like an ever flowing stream.

We'll Build A Land where we bring the good tidings
To all the afflicted and all those who mourn.
And we'll give them garlands instead of ashes.
Oh, We'll Build A Land where peace is born.

Chorus

We'll be a land building up ancient cities,
Raising up devastations from old;
Restoring ruins of generations, Oh,
We'll Build A Land of people so bold.

Chorus

Come, build a land where the mantles of praises
Resound from spirits once faint and once weak;
Where like oaks of righteousness stand her people.
Oh, come build the land, my people, we seek


Words: Barbara Zanotti (adapted from Isaiah/Amos)©1979 Surtsey Publ. Co.
Music: Carolyn McDade, 1935-,©1979 Surtsey Publ. Co.

In "Singing The Living Tradition," (Unitarian-Universalist Hymnal), Beacon Press.

Subject: Lyr Add: ONE DAY AT A TIME
From: GUEST,Jeanene
Date: 18 Sep 01 - 01:16 AM

I am posting Kris K and Marijohn W's song, One Day At a Time, with some adaptations and new verses. The original lyrics are also posted here. I thought of posting them in the Gospel Sing thread, but I thought that was specifically for that 9/11/01 date and did not know if it was current.

One Day At A Time

This song was written by Kris Kristofferson and Marijohn Wilkinson ca. 1971.
Adaptation and new verses by Jeanene Pratt May 16, 1999 (verses 3 and 4); Sept. 17, 2001 (verse 4).

Chorus:
One day at a time, sweet Jesus, that's all we're asking from you.
Give us the strength to do every day what we have to do.
Yesterday's gone, sweet Jesus, and tomorrow may never be mine.
Show us the way; Lord, help us to take one day at a time.

We're only human, just men and women.
Help us to see the world that can be in your divine plan.
Show us that stairway we have to climb.
For our chilren's sake, help us to take one day at a time.

Chorus

We call it progress, technology's stride.
Making it bigger and stronger and faster is our human pride.
Without your guidance it's not worth a dime.
It's all in your hands, Lord, show us your plan
One day at a time.

Chorus

The tower of Babel was to reach to the sky.
Today we're more able, yet we still babble, don't see eye to eye.
Our weapons are smarter but peace we can't find.
Knowledge we prize, but please make us wise
One day at a time.

Chorus

Do you remember when you walked among men?
Well, Jesus, you know, if you're looking below, it's worse now than then.
Insane terrorism, unspeakable crimes!
For humanity's sake, please help us to take one day at a time.

Chorus

--------------
One Day At A Time

(Kris Kristofferson and Marijohn Wilkinson ca. 1971)

One day at a time, sweet Jesus, that's all I'm asking from you.
Give me the strength to do every day what I have to do.
Yesterday's gone, sweet Jesus, and tomorrow may never be mine.
Show me the way; Lord, help me to take one day at a time.

I'm only human, I'm just a woman.
Help me believe in what I can be and all that I am.
Show me that stairway I have to climb.
Lord, for my sake, help me to take one day at a time.

One day at a time, sweet Jesus, that's all I'm asking from you.
Give me the strength to do every day what I have to do.
Yesterday's gone, sweet Jesus, and tomorrow may never be mine.
Show me the way; Lord, help me to take one day at a time.

Do you remember when you walked among men?
Well, Jesus, you know, if you're looking below, it's worse now than then.
Pushing and shoving, crowding my mind.*
Lord, for my sake, please help me to take one day at a time.

One day at a time, sweet Jesus, that's all we're asking from you.
Give us the strength to do every day what we have to do.
Yesterday's gone, sweet Jesus, and tomorrow may challenge our minds.
Show us the way, Lord, help us to take one day at a time.

*Christy Lane sings "violence and crime."

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: GUEST,Jeanene
Date: 18 Sep 01 - 01:20 AM

Correction:
I did not write the 4th verse in the adaptation of "One Day At A Time" above; I only adapted that verse, by changing the last two lines.
J. Pratt

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: blt
Date: 18 Sep 01 - 01:21 AM

One of the songs that keeps going through my head is a song by Buffy Saint Marie (I think)--Universal Soldier.

blt

Subject: Lyr Add: THE NEW BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC
From: Suffet
Date: 18 Sep 01 - 11:56 AM

I have heard it said that the first casualty of war is the truth.

---- Steve


"THE NEW BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC"

Music: "John Brown's Body" ("The Battle Hymn of the Republic")
Words: Stephen L. Suffet © 2001

Stanzas only, low and dirgelike, without choruses.

An evil hand of terror has smitten our land,
Cruel war is thrust upon us, and united we shall stand,
But before we loose the dogs of war, the truth we shall demand.
May the truth go shining on!

Are our weapons so intelligent, are our bombs so smart,
The evil and the innocent our bombs can tell apart?
Or together will they perish once the bombings start?
May the truth go shining on!

And if we march to battle in the Good Lord's Holy Name,
How are we so different from the ones we choose to blame?
War is never holy; it is evil and profane.
May the truth go shining on!

And the ones whose souls are guided by the sacred Inner Light,
Shall we brand them all as traitors because they will not fight?
Shall we lock them into prisons and keep them out of sight?
May the truth go shining on!

And the one we call Bin Laden, oh may the truth be known,
We armed him and we trained him when we claimed him as our own;
Now he bites the hand that fed him, we have reaped what we have sown.
May the truth go shining on!

Will we who fight for freedom ourselves succumb to hate?
Or will our ranks be open wide to all who'd risk our fate?
The hand that smote our nation knew neither gay nor straight.
May the truth go shining on!

And when the battle's over, will those who now protect,
Be treated then with decency, with honor and respect?
Or will they suffer homelessness, depression and neglect?
May the truth go shining on!

Yes, although war is evil, we still may choose to fight,
The lesser of two evils may bring us through this night,
But let us not deceive ourselves that two wrongs make a right.
May the truth go shining on!

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: Stewart
Date: 18 Sep 01 - 12:56 PM

The Malvina Reynolds song "Uneasy Dreams" comes to mind.

UNEASY DREAMS -- Malvina Reynolds

Uneasy dreams, when I can't find you,
You catch a train that passes me by,
Or we are lost in some big city,
And I can not find you, tho I hear you cry.

When I awake, you're here beside me,
You're in my arms where you should be,
But when I'm sleeping, my heart is weeping,
What can they mean, those uneasy dreams.

When I come home and you are waiting,
I am so sure your love is true,
But when I'm sleeping that dream comes creeping,
That tells me some day I'll be losing you.

Then there is the John Hartford song "In Tall Buildings".
...So it's goodbye to the sunshine, goodbye to the dew
And goodbye to the flowers and goodbye to you
I'm off to the subway, I must not be late
I'm goin' to work in tall buildings.

S. in Seattle

Subject: Lyr Add: FROM A DISTANCE
From: open mike
Date: 18 Sep 01 - 01:21 PM

This song helps me process all this madness:
This one is by Julie Gold. I first heard Nanci Griffith's version, then Bette Midler's schmaltzed up "hit" of it:

FROM A DISTANCE

From a distance, the world looks blue and green
And the snow-capped mountains white
From a distance, the ocean meets the stream
And the eagle takes to flight

    From a distance, there is harmony
    And it echoes through the land
    It's the voice of peace
    It's the voice of hope
    It's the song of every one (changed from "man")

From a distance, we all have enough
And no one is in need
There are no guns, no bombs, no diseases
No hungry mouths to feed

    From a distance, we all are instruments
    Marching in a common band
    Playing songs of hope
    Playing songs of peace
    They are the songs of every one

          God is watching us; God is watching us,
          God is watching us, from a distance

From a distance you look like my friend
Even though we are at war
From a distance, I can't comprehend
What all this war is for,

    From a distance, there is harmony
    And it echoes through the land,
    It's the hope of hopes,
    It's the love of loves,
    IT'S THE HEART OF EVERY ONE

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: open mike
Date: 18 Sep 01 - 02:20 PM

Linda Allen mentioned Vine and Fig Tree- I remember this as a ggod one--but don't remember it well enough to complete the last line--- it is not in the "V"section of the archives-- could we see the words here--[please post]] here is what i recall of it-- it is a minor tune and is sung as a round

Everyone 'neath the vine and fig tree Shall live in peace and harmony Everyone 'neath the vine and fig tree Shall live in peace and harmony

And into plowshares beat our swords Nations shall make war no more And into plowshares beat our swords Nations shall make war no more

Is that how it goes?

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: GUEST,Genie
Date: 18 Sep 01 - 02:54 PM

And everyone 'neath vine and fig tree
Shall live in peace and unafraid
(repeat)
And into plowshares turn their swords,
Nations shall learn war no more.
(repeat)
It is in Rise Up Singing, in Hebrew (Lo Yisa Goy) and in English. Genie

Subject: Lyr Add: OVER HERE
From: GUEST,Sonja
Date: 18 Sep 01 - 09:02 PM

Over Here
New Words: Sonja W. Oates ©2001
Tune: "Over There" (George M. Cohan ca. 1918)

Over here, over here,
Who'd've thought this could be, over here--
The towers in ruin, so many lives' undoing,
The threat to all we hold so dear?

But it's clear, through our fear,
It's a perilous course we must steer.
It's not over; it's far from over
But we can't let hate take over over here.

Over here, over here,
This could never, ever be, over here!
Now our faith is shaken, our innocence taken
And the face of the enemy's not clear.

Shed your tears, but it's clear,
No matter how bleak it may appear,
We'll recover, we'll build it over,
And we'll not be taken over over here.

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 01:25 AM

There's a new song written for the NYC Firefighters in this thread:

Subject: Song for NYC Firefighters... From: InOBU Date: 20-Sep-01 - 11:07 AM

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Sep 01 - 05:12 PM

Has anyone written a song in tribute to the passengers of the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania on 9-11-01? This would be a good story ballad, about the passengers taking on the hijackers.

Subject: Lyr Add: BROKEN TUESDAY
From: GUEST,Mugwa
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 01:03 AM

Whether song or poem I have not decided which but I post it here for you all.

BROKEN TUESDAY
by, Mugwa

I wish for time but it just passes me by-
eaten up by plans for tomorrow,
little mundane things of no consequence,
or reading books to write the papers for school.
Eaten up by illness and worries- what tomorrow?
As the president pronounces from the TV screen-
statements the blare as headlines in the media-,
I wonder if, and then were, he'll have to go.
Before I wished he didn't have to go at all,
though I was glad it wasn't Macedonia.
Now I hope they'll send him soon, to Kosovo.
Let him keep the peace of that troubled nation
instead of fighting the troubles of our own.
I just want him to always come home.
His country should not ask of him
the things that may be asked of him,
to kill innocents for the sake of revenge.
How far must the pain of Tuesday spread?
I was lucky enough to have lost no one,
though I had two close friends in New York.
For what should I, and so many million
mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, wives,
grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, uncles,
cousins, best friends, girlfriends, boyfriends,
lovers, and life partners join the suffering?
Is the pain of millions hurting not enough?
For millions of hearts already broken
have left millions of souls crying.

"I think I have a special kind of hearing tonight"
If we retaliate they will only strike again.
"I hear the neighbors upstairs"
Most are innocents, our neighbors, our brothers.
"I hear my heart beating"
Their hearts beat the same as ours, and they suffer
"I hear one thousand hearts beating at the hospital"
as do innocents from America to Northern Ireland,
"And one thousand hearts by their bedsides waiting"
while loved ones feel their hearts slowly break.
"Saying that's my love in the white gown,"
They suffer because they love someone.
"We are not lost in the Mortal City"
Where there is love there is hope.
"We are not lost in the Mortal City"

America does not have to ask my friend
to slaughter innocents in her name.
America does not have to sacrifice
her manhood in the name of justice.
The pain of Tuesday can stop were it rests,
and leave only the suffering already caused.
We are better than the terrorists
and we can be the big man this time.
Let us lay to rest what has happened.
Allow America time enough to heal.
We should talk of overcoming,
not of subduing and retribution.
If we must display American might,
do not ravage an already leveled country,
instead defend the second class citizens
in Northern Ireland and across the globe.
Send peacekeeping forces to Kosovo
and were ever else they might serve.
We are stronger than the terrorists;
we do not have to be more violent.
Still we rush forth, seeking revenge
against the terrorists and their nations,
before we have had time to begin to heal.
I wish for time but it just passes me by
eaten up by plans for tomorrow,
little mundane things of no consequence,
or reading books to write the papers for school.
Eaten up by illness and worries- what tomorrow?
What tomorrow?

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: GUEST,bumbee
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 01:05 AM

sorry

just testig okay wish I didn't have too =)

Subject: Lyr Add: BROKEN TUESDAY
From: GUEST,Mugwa
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 01:12 AM

Sorry but I cannot format. I will put slashes for line breaks. I hope this hepls, love & peace~

BROKEN TUESDAY
Quoted text from "Mortal City" by Dar Williams

I wish for time but it just passes me by-
eaten up by plans for tomorrow,
little mundane things of no consequence,
or reading books to write the papers for school.
Eaten up by illness and worries- what tomorrow?
As the president pronounces from the TV screen-
statements the blare as headlines in the media-,
I wonder if, and then were, he'll have to go.
Before I wished he didn't have to go at all,
though I was glad it wasn't Macedonia.
Now I hope they'll send him soon, to Kosovo.
Let him keep the peace of that troubled nation
instead of fighting the troubles of our own.
I just want him to always come home.
His country should not ask of him
the things that may be asked of him,
to kill innocents for the sake of revenge.
How far must the pain of Tuesday spread?
I was lucky enough to have lost no one,
though I had two close friends in New York.
For what should I, and so many million
mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, wives,
grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, uncles,
cousins, best friends, girlfriends,
Is the pain of millions hurting not enough?
For millions of hearts already broken
have left millions of souls crying.

"I think I have a special kind of hearing tonight"
If we retaliate they will only strike again.
"I hear the neighbors upstairs"
Most are innocents, our neighbors, our brothers.
"I hear my heart beating"
Their hearts beat the same as ours, and they suffer
"I hear one thousand hearts beating at the hospital"
as do innocents from America to Northern Ireland,
"And one thousand hearts by their bedsides waiting"
while loved ones feel their hearts slowly break.
"Saying that's my love in the white gown,"
They suffer because they love someone.
"We are not lost in the Mortal City"
Where there is love there is hope.
"We are not lost in the Mortal City"

America does not have to ask my friend
to slaughter innocents in her name.
America does not have to sacrifice
her manhood in the name of justice.
The pain of Tuesday can stop were it rests,
and leave only the suffering already caused.
We are better than the terrorists
and we can be the big man this time.
Let us lay to rest what has happened.
Allow America time enough to heal.
We should talk of overcoming,
not of subduing and retribution.
If we must display American might,
do not ravage an already leveled country,
instead defend the second class citizens
in Northern Ireland and across the globe.
Send peacekeeping forces to Kosovo
and were ever else they might serve.
We are stronger than the terrorists;
we do not have to be more violent.
Still we rush forth, seeking revenge
against the terrorists and their nations,
before we have had time to begin to heal.
I wish for time but it just passes me by
eaten up by plans for tomorrow,
little mundane things of no consequence,
or reading books to write the papers for school.
Eaten up by illness and worries- what tomorrow?
What tomorrow?

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: GUEST,Mugwa
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 01:21 AM

cross reference with http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=38859&messages=61

http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=39109&messages=12

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: GUEST,Genie
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 03:10 AM

Also

http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=39242&messages=6

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 01:04 AM

"http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=38859&messages=61"

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: GUEST,Genie
Date: 30 Sep 01 - 02:29 AM

Click here

Click here

Click here Click here

Subject: Lyr Add: OUT OF TUNE
From: GUEST,Jeremy Borum
Date: 11 Oct 01 - 12:17 AM

Finding this thread just made my day. I've written a song as a memorial tribute to those who suffered in the World Trade Center disaster, and I've put it online in the hopes that people will find it and take some comfort in it.
I'm and American, but I'm in Australia at the moment and there was nothing else I could do to help except write music for the people that were harmed. I've put the lyrics before, but please go to my website and listen to the song instead of just reading the lyrics.

Thanks all of you that were here before me for your support of poetry, music, art, and sympathy.

- Jeremy Borum
[e-mail]
http://www.crosswinds.net/~jborum/

"OUT OF TUNE"

How could you?
You heartless assholes.
There are better things in life than power -
Try relationships, love, spirituality.

Most folks wouldn't give $10 for politics,
but you gave your life for politics,
for greedy selfish people.
And you gave hundreds of other lives.
Those people never hurt you.
They never knew you.

Your friends, the ones you died for,
do they feel remorse?
Do the people with no family
and the man without his skin,
does it make them regret?
Does the baby burned to death make them cry?
It made me cry.

Or do they sit at home with smiles on their faces and watch their CNN?
Do the images of destruction make them proud?
How could you?
My folks were gonna fly tomorrow.
You assholes.
It could have been them.

But more importantly, somebody's loved ones flew yesterday, and today they're all alone.
My heart and prayers go out to them.
This song goes out to them.

It's all that I can do, 'cause the world's out of tune.
You have my heart, you have my prayers.
It's all that I can do, 'cause the world's all out of tune.

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 12 Oct 01 - 02:44 PM

I've been singing Paul Simon's "The Only Living boy in New York". I was a bit worried in case anyone took it the wrong way especially as it starts "Hey Tom get your plane right on time" but everyone who has heard it has found it really moving.

Paul is a New Yorker and the song has this lovely elegaic feel to it - works for me anyway.

ps

I previously guested as Roger from Beverley but am now a member with a name that comes from the make of my guitar. Don't forget, also, that we have a fund raising event for the families of the firefighters in the Sun Inn in Beverley on Sunday evening from 8pm.

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: Genie
Date: 13 Oct 01 - 04:18 AM

An earlier version of this song, written about 9/14/01, was posted in another thread. Hear is the revision of the lyrics, as of 10/12/01. (A MIDI will be posted soon. Please email me if you would like the tune.)

Valley Of the Shadow (Jeanene Pratt © 2001)

Moving on our journey to the promised land,
We were vilely ambushed by an unseen outlaw band.
Most of us survived it, but so many fell that day,
Many sisters, many brothers perished in the fray.

In shock and anguish, terrorized and filled with dread,
Our vision was blurred; we couldn't see the road ahead.
We knew it was a crossroads; beyond that it was not clear.
We couldn't find our direction through the smoke and our tears.

Could we make it through the Valley Of the Shadow?
Could we move ahead in spite of all our fears?
Could we feel beyond the hate? Could we see our way clear?
Could we reach beyond our rage, See the way through our tears?

We'd been living in a garden, rich beyond compare--
Some had called it the promised land and wanted to stay there,
But the bounty of the garden was not shared by all;
There had been those among us who heard tomorrow's call.

Yes, many among us had envisioned what could be;
They had said, "We must push onward till the world can all agree
That there is no promised land when there is want outside the wall
And freedom's just another word till justice is for all."

They said, "Even through the Valley Of the Shadow,
We'll move ahead in spite of all our fears.
Though there be dust in our eyes, keep your eyes on the prize,
The promised land worth all our toil and tears."

Then the sky was filled with fire and we heard the thousands scream.
And we saw the buildings crumble, with so many hearts and dreams.
Some of us were cowering, frozen in our tracks.
Many shouted out for vengeance! Some said we must turn back.

Our grief and rage could drive us like the wind
But with no clear direction, where would we begin?
Each path holds perils, foreseen or unknown,
And our zeal could be our downfall if we took the wrong way home.

Could we make it Through The Valley Of the Shadow?
Could we move ahead in spite of all our fears?
Could we feel beyond the hate? Could we see our way clear?
Could we reach beyond our rage, See the way through our tears?

Now once again we're moving, still mourning what we've lost,
And our passion drives our actions with little thought of cost.
Yet we've got to get our bearings, we must regain our sight
Lest we plow ahead blindly and be lost without the light.

Is the garden now the valley of the shadow?
Will tomorrow be hostage to our fears?
Are we greater than our hate? Will the dream be ever clear?
Can we channel this rage, see the way through our tears?

We can make it through the Valley Of the Shadow.
We must move ahead in spite of fear.
We must rise above this hate till the vision is clear
When we reach beyond this rage, see the way through our tears.

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: The Shambles
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 06:41 AM

Islands and Oasis. A link to a song in the Mudcat Songbook.

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: The Shambles
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 04:41 PM

Hiders In Holes

These hiders in caves
Send young men to their graves
Dying they believe, in glory

These hiders from light
Talk boldly of fight
An unconvincing story

What is this cause?
These holy wars
The final sacrifice
Why are they willing?
For indiscriminate killing
And to pay the ultimate price

These hiders in holes
These sellers of souls
Market dealers in doom

These hiders behind skirts
Nurture their hurts
Long arms reaching out from the gloom

Cannot the confused
See their faith is misused
To create only more division
Receiving instruction
In death and destruction
From teachers with twisted vision

These hiders can lie
The dark blinding their eyes
Safe from the bombs that would kill them

These hiders may hide
They're safe inside
Let them have their holes……and then fill them

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: MikeJ
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 04:59 PM

Here is a link to lyrics and a download of a song Kitty Donohoe wrote following the events of 9/11: There Are No Words

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 05:45 PM

Linda Allen's lyrics really hit home. Everyone I know has the same problem: every time we try to do something "normal", two simple thoughts keep echoing "Five thousand people are dead"..."The Towers are gone." It is incomprehensible.

Eagerly awaiting the tune.

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: Stewart
Date: 14 Oct 01 - 06:31 PM

THE BRAVEST
Written by Tom Paxton
Sung by Garrison Keillor (On PHC 10/14/01)

The first plane hit the other tower, right after I came in
It left a gaping, fiery hole where offices had been
We'd stood and watched in horror, as we saw the first ones fall
Then someone yelled "Get Out, Get Out" they're trying to kill us all

I grabbed the pictures from my desk and joined the flight for life
With every step I called the names of my children and my wife
And then we heard them coming, from several floors below
A crowd of firefighters with their heavy gear in tow

Chorus:
Now every time I try to sleep, I'm haunted by the sound
Of firemen pounding up the stairs, while we were running down

When we met them on the stairs, they said we were too slow
Get out, get out, they yelled at us, the whole thing's gonna go
They didn't have to tell us twice, we'd seen the world on fire
We kept on running down the stairs, while they kept climbing higher

Chorus

Thank God we made it to the street, we ran through ash and smoke
I did not know which way to run, I thought that I would choke
A fireman took me by the arm, and pointed me uptown
Then "Christ", I heard him whisper, as the tower came pounding down

So now I go to funerals for men I never knew
The pipers play "Amazing Grace", as the coffins come in view
They must have seen it coming, when they turned to face the fire
They sent us down to safety, then they kept on climbing higher

Chorus, (repeat last line)

S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: Genie
Date: 28 Oct 01 - 01:43 PM

Is there a MIDI of the Tom Paxton song or has it been released on CD? I'd like to hear the tune.
Genie

Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music
From: M.Ted
Date: 29 Oct 01 - 01:46 PM

Especially after reading the songs that many of you have written, I am reminded of The Sweet Singer of Michigan, Mrs. Julia A.Moore--she would have done well with this event, though of course, she has been gone for more than 80 years--I am posting her song about the Chicago fire, which, eerily, contains many images of the WTC tragedy--

THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE

The great Chicago Fire, friends,
Will never be forgot;
In the history of Chicago
It will remain a darken spot.,
It was a dreadful horrid sight,
To see that City in flames;
But no human aid could save it,
For all skill was tried in vain
In the year of 1871,
In October on the 8th
The people in that City, then
Was full of life, and great.
Less than four days it lay in ruins,
That garden City, so great
Lay smouldering in ashes,
In a sad and pitiful state

It was a sad, sad scene indeed,
To see the fire arise
And hear the crackling of the flames
As it almost reached the skies,
And sadder still, to hear the moans,
Of people in the flames
Cry for help, and none could get,
Ah, die where they remained

To see the people run for life
Up and down the blazing streets
To find then, their escape cut off
By the fiery flaming sheets,
And others hunting for some friend
That perhaps they never found,
Such weeping, wailing, never was known,
For a thousands miles around.

Some people were very wealthy,
On the morning of the 10th.,
But at the close of the evening
Was poor, but felt content,
Glad to escape from harm with life
With friends they loved so well,
Some will try to gain more wisdom,
By the sad sight they beheld.

Five thousand people were homeless
Sad wanderers in the streets
With no shelter to cover them,
And no food had they to eat.
They wandered down by the lake side,
Lay down on the cold damp ground,
So tired and weary and homeless,
So the rich, the poor, was found.

Mothers with dear little infants,
Some clinging to the breast.,
People of every description,
All laid down there to rest,,
With the sky as their covering,,
Ah, pillows they had none.,
Sad, oh sad, it must have been,,
For those poor homeless ones.

Neighboring Cities sent comfort,
To the poor lone helpless ones,
And God will not forget them
In all the years to come.
Now the City of Chicago
Is built up anew once more,
And may it never be visited
With such a great fire no more.

Reprinted from The Sweet Singer of Michigan: Poems by Mrs. Julia A. Moore, ed. Walter Blair (Chicago: Pascal Covici, 1928).