15 Sep 01 - 05:20 PM (#550984) Subject: 9/11: Responding through Music From: GUEST,Timbrel 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. |
15 Sep 01 - 05:47 PM (#551010) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: The Shambles 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. |
15 Sep 01 - 06:11 PM (#551020) Subject: Lyr Add: A DIFFERENT KIND (Katrina Gall) From: The Shambles Ode to joy, indeed it was...
A Different Kind by Mrs Shambles
Taken from the cradle, you bent them to your will,
Watch them grow but keep in mind,
But when the rage is over, the wind is blowing cold,
Watch them grow but keep in mind,
You chose to fuel the furnace, you chose to use the small,
Watch them grow but keep in mind,
Watch them grow but keep in mind, Katrina Gall 1998 |
15 Sep 01 - 07:57 PM (#551077) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: Jeri 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. |
16 Sep 01 - 12:34 AM (#551269) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: Ebbie 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 |
16 Sep 01 - 12:42 AM (#551272) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: GUEST,Scorpio 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?"
|
16 Sep 01 - 05:31 AM (#551430) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: The Shambles A Song For Mudcatters, which still hasn't a proper title. |
16 Sep 01 - 06:28 AM (#551454) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Tonight in Brattleboro Vermont, a huge group of us will be singing Finlandia. These words have never seemed so needed. |
16 Sep 01 - 12:05 PM (#551589) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: Ebbie We Can Sing It! Great lyrics, Shambles. What is the time on it? |
16 Sep 01 - 12:30 PM (#551605) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: The Shambles Give it a good strum, like 'circle be unbroken'. We Can Sing It, sounds good,.......So be it. |
16 Sep 01 - 12:52 PM (#551623) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: wysiwyg 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 |
16 Sep 01 - 12:55 PM (#551628) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: Jeri Shambles, what about "The Same Song?" 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, 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.
|
16 Sep 01 - 03:37 PM (#551734) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: GUEST,Timbrel 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.
|
16 Sep 01 - 04:23 PM (#551755) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: Haruo 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 |
16 Sep 01 - 06:41 PM (#551829) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: Tedham Porterhouse 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 |
16 Sep 01 - 09:53 PM (#551981) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: Linda Allen 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
|
16 Sep 01 - 10:19 PM (#551991) Subject: ADD From: wysiwyg 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 |
16 Sep 01 - 10:59 PM (#552006) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: PaulBobbyBuzz 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 |
16 Sep 01 - 11:27 PM (#552011) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: MAG 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 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 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
zipper in: loving/love Shalom/Salaam. MAG |
17 Sep 01 - 09:12 AM (#552164) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: Burke 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. |
17 Sep 01 - 09:17 AM (#552166) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: wysiwyg 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 |
17 Sep 01 - 09:52 AM (#552195) Subject: Lyr Add: PRIDE OF MAN^^^ From: Jim the Bart 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.^^^ |
17 Sep 01 - 11:22 AM (#552271) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: MAG 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. |
17 Sep 01 - 04:11 PM (#552557) Subject: Lyr Add: WE'LL BUILD A LAND From: GUEST,Sonja 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. |
18 Sep 01 - 01:16 AM (#552943) Subject: Lyr Add: ONE DAY AT A TIME From: GUEST,Jeanene 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." |
18 Sep 01 - 01:20 AM (#552946) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: GUEST,Jeanene 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 |
18 Sep 01 - 01:21 AM (#552947) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: blt One of the songs that keeps going through my head is a song by Buffy Saint Marie (I think)--Universal Soldier. blt |
18 Sep 01 - 11:56 AM (#553232) Subject: Lyr Add: THE NEW BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC From: Suffet 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! |
18 Sep 01 - 12:56 PM (#553281) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: Stewart 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". |
18 Sep 01 - 01:21 PM (#553300) Subject: Lyr Add: FROM A DISTANCE From: open mike 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 |
18 Sep 01 - 02:20 PM (#553344) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: open mike 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? |
18 Sep 01 - 02:54 PM (#553382) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: GUEST,Genie 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 |
18 Sep 01 - 09:02 PM (#553584) Subject: Lyr Add: OVER HERE From: GUEST,Sonja 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. |
23 Sep 01 - 01:25 AM (#556851) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: GUEST 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 |
25 Sep 01 - 05:12 PM (#558616) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: GUEST 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. |
26 Sep 01 - 01:03 AM (#558949) Subject: Lyr Add: BROKEN TUESDAY From: GUEST,Mugwa 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? |
26 Sep 01 - 01:05 AM (#558952) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: GUEST,bumbee sorry just testig okay wish I didn't have too =) |
26 Sep 01 - 01:12 AM (#558958) Subject: Lyr Add: BROKEN TUESDAY From: GUEST,Mugwa 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? |
26 Sep 01 - 01:21 AM (#558968) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: GUEST,Mugwa cross reference with http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=38859&messages=61 http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=39109&messages=12 |
26 Sep 01 - 03:10 AM (#559022) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: GUEST,Genie Also http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=39242&messages=6 |
27 Sep 01 - 01:04 AM (#559662) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: GUEST "http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=38859&messages=61" |
30 Sep 01 - 02:29 AM (#561779) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: GUEST,Genie
|
11 Oct 01 - 12:17 AM (#569523) Subject: Lyr Add: OUT OF TUNE From: GUEST,Jeremy Borum 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 jaborum@ucdavis.edu 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. |
12 Oct 01 - 02:44 PM (#570712) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: Sir Roger de Beverley 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. |
13 Oct 01 - 04:18 AM (#571113) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: Genie 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. JeanenePratt@onebox.com |
14 Oct 01 - 06:41 AM (#571677) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: The Shambles Islands and Oasis. A link to a song in the Mudcat Songbook. |
14 Oct 01 - 04:41 PM (#571945) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: The Shambles Hiders In Holes
These hiders in caves
These hiders from light
What is this cause?
These hiders behind skirts
Cannot the confused
These hiders can lie
These hiders may hide |
14 Oct 01 - 04:59 PM (#571963) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: MikeJ 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 |
14 Oct 01 - 05:45 PM (#571988) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: SINSULL 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. |
14 Oct 01 - 06:31 PM (#572016) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: Stewart 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 I grabbed the pictures from my desk and joined the flight for life Chorus: When we met them on the stairs, they said we were too slow Chorus Thank God we made it to the street, we ran through ash and smoke So now I go to funerals for men I never knew Chorus, (repeat last line) S. in Seattle |
28 Oct 01 - 01:43 PM (#581438) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: Genie Is there a MIDI of the Tom Paxton song or has it been released on CD? I'd like to hear the tune. Genie |
29 Oct 01 - 01:46 PM (#582067) Subject: RE: 9/11: Responding through Music From: M.Ted 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,
It was a sad, sad scene indeed,
To see the people run for life
Some people were very wealthy,
Five thousand people were homeless
Mothers with dear little infants,
Neighboring Cities sent comfort,
Reprinted from The Sweet Singer of Michigan: Poems by Mrs. Julia A. Moore, ed. Walter Blair (Chicago: Pascal Covici, 1928). |