Lyr Add: Valley of the Towering Shadows (J Pratt)

Subject: Lyr Add: VALLEY OF THE TOWERING SHADOWS (J Pratt)
From: Genie
Date: 11 Sep 07 - 01:52 AM

This is the final - and shortest - version of a song I wrote shortly after the terrorist attacks in the USA on 9-11-01. Earlier, evolving incarnations of the song are in the "9-11 Songs threads," but somehow the final 'edition' didn't seem to get posted there.

Yes, I know, we've learned a lot about "9-11" since then, and there are more and more nagging questions. But my overall take on those events and the direction the US has taken since then hasn't changed a lot.

Anyway, for what it's worth, here is:

Valley Of the Towering Shadows (Jeanene Pratt ©2001, 2003. 2007)
[
G]......    [F].......[C]......................   [D7]
On our journey to the promised land,
[G].......................[Em].....[C]........[D7]
Ambushed by an unseen outlaw band.
.......[Em]...................................[Am]
We knew it was a crossroads; nothing more was clear.
[D]......................[D7].....................[C] .....[D7].......[G]
Couldn't find our way through the smoke and our tears.


..........................[G]..............................[F].................[D7]
        Could we make it Through The Valley Of the Shadow?
..........................[G#].....[G]...................[D7]
        Could we move ahead in spite of fears?
.........................Em]..........................................[Am]
        Could we feel beyond the hate, could we see our way clear?
.........................[D]........................[D7].............[C].....[D7]...........[G]
        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 there is no promised land when there is want outside the wall
And the dream is "liberty and justice for all."

        So we said, "Even through the Valley Of The Shadow,
        We'll move ahead in spite of all our fears.
        Dust in our eyes, eyes on the prize,
        The promised land worth all our toil and tears."

................[F]......[C].................[F]................[G]*
Then the sky on fire and the thousands'screams,
[G]...........[Em]....................[C]........................[D7]
Towers crumbling with so many hearts and dreams!**
.......[Em]...................................[Am]
Now some of us are cowering, frozen in our tracks.
[D].................[D7].........................[C] .....[D7]..........[G]
Many cry for "Vengeance!" Some say we must turn back,

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

Now, once more we're moving, anger justified,
Assured in that God is on our side,
But have we got our bearings enough to comprehend
Just where it is we're going, where it all might end?

        Is the garden now the Valley Of The Shadow?
        Will tomorrow be hostage to fear?
        Are we guided more by hate or by all that we hold dear?
        Can we channel this rage, see the way through our tears?

        Yes, "Even through The Valley Of the Shadow,
        We'll move ahead in spite of fears.
        Tears in our eyes, eyes on the prize,
        The promised land worth all our toil and tears."
        Tears in our eyes, eyes on the prize,
        The promised land, the dream of all the years."

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Valley of the Towering Shadows
From: Genie
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 04:33 PM

Not the greatest song ever, but I still think the thoughts are relevant.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Valley of the Towering Shadows (J Pratt)
From: Genie
Date: 11 Sep 12 - 11:32 AM

Maybe even more relevant today than a few years ago. I fear we really have "turned back."

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Valley of the Towering Shadows (J Pratt)
From: GUEST,Genie sans cookie
Date: 12 Sep 16 - 12:47 AM

Revisiting on the 15th anniversary of those terrible attacks. Have we made it through the valley of the shadow? Has our tomorrow become hostage to fear?
Can we get our eyes back on the prize and move forward?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Valley of the Towering Shadows (J Pratt)
From: cnd
Date: 12 Sep 16 - 10:07 PM

Very poignant and touching song, which I would love to hear a recording of if available.

I also really enjoyed the Biblical allusions throughout the song, and it really added to the matter of the lives lost in the event.