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.^^^