New Songs for 9-11-2001

Subject: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 01:15 PM

Is there already a thread for these? I didn't see one.

Amergin and I just wrote one. He started it-- they are mostly his words, and I will be doing a tune. A slow waltz.

It needs a title, so maybe someone can supply one. I'm posting the verses and then Amergin will post the chorus.

~Susan

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

UNTITLED
Last night as I lay dreaming,
I saw a blue New York sky.
I heard hundreds of people screaming
As they ran and passed me by
From the tall burning building
A-tumbling to the floor.
And then the news hawkers cried
They were "casualties of war."

Then I began to wonder,
As the planes crashed on down
Into the giant skyscrapers
And made a loud and ugly sound;
I heard the cries of the passengers
When they found they would die
In the midst of the fireballs
That lit up the morning sky.

Some jumped from the windows
To escape the raining death
Burns wracked broken bodies
As they shrieked their last, charred breath
Now what went through their minds?
They realised they were going to die
From some madman's unholy cause...
Destruction, poured from the sky.

I saw bystanders out on the street
Crying in shock and horror,
Revulsion shining in their eyes
With each teardrop on the floor.
The dust had began to sink;
The smoke had filled the sky.
Hundreds stood around weeping
Asking, "Oh my God, please, why?"

I woke with a start from the dreaming
In the light of the morning sun.
Relief settled in my bones,
As I turned the television on.
Manhattan was but a jungle
Of smoke and terrified screams!
The tears streamed down my cheeks
For I knew this was no dream.

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: Amergin
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 01:19 PM

Here is the chorus that Susan wrote...:

Suddenly I felt a warm, wet drop land
On the back of my pleading, outstretched hand
It was the tears of God; He said, "I don't understand.
I gave you such gifts-- not the least was free will.
Yet you use it in anger, you use it to kill.
You want to know why I allow this to be?
That answer should come from you, to Me."
With the gift of free will

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 01:22 PM

I hope the tune's better than the words... jeez

Leave it at least three months before you write anything else, it's just to soon

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 01:22 PM

Should read:

Here is the chorus that Amergin AND Susan wrote...:

Suddenly I felt a warm, wet drop land on the back of my pleading, outstretched hand
It was the tears of God; He said, "I just don't understand.
I gave you such gifts-- not the least was free will.
Yet you use it in anger, you use it to kill.
You want to know why I allow this to be?
That answer should come from you, to Me."

~S~

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: GUEST,Genie
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 01:32 PM

This is not a new song, and I don't want to distract the thread, but I can't help but think of Phil Och's lines:
"Show me the country where the bombs had to fall,
Show me the ruins of the buildings once so tall,
And I'll show you, young [one], with so many reasons why,
That there but for fortune go you and I, ... ."

I guess we've taken our good fortune for granted while terrorism racked other countries.

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 01:33 PM

Beautiful, but it is too soon for me to even think about a song. Thanks for sharing, though.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: Mrrzy
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 02:00 PM

Songs should begin now, while hearts are most full. This one is tragic, and should be sung forcefully, not slowly as a dirge. I have been thinking of that Phil Ochs line too... Amergin, Susan, good going. Let's have more.

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: Sorcha
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 02:10 PM

Transferred from Part III:

My 18-year-old stepdaughter wrote this in response to today's events and asked me to share it with you.

911
by Emily Pennington, 2001

Words nor sayings ain't nothin'...
The world will continue frontin'
Sh*t, we livin' in our last days -
It don't matter what nobody says or will say.
Our destinies are chosen
Still we need to stay strong and keep focus
Regardless, life can be hard... Don't dare let that tear us apart.
Even though, every day we strive
Keep hope alive.
I beg of you - don't give up yet.
For one day, justice we shall get...
Faith may be the only true investment.
Motha' f*ckers ain't truly ready for this testin'...
But realize life is precious -
As much as lust bein' lucious...
Give up,
Then we're all stuck.
God's in control
So let life go on and roll.
Remember, play every day
And never let a moment slip away....

*911*
God bless all of us...

Just one young person's view on things. For your consideration.

jeffp God help us all.

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: Amergin
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 05:39 PM

good piece of work, Emily Scorch.....

I hope that more are coming...though I would understand if they do not....

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: GUEST,Sonja
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 05:48 PM

Here's a first draft of a new song based on Woody Guthrie's "The Sinking of The Reuben James" (which tune was based on Wildwood Flower). Feel free to change or add lyrics or verses. I don't have a title for it.
Sonja

Have you heard of the towers destroyed by those planes?
Were you there when the Pentagon burst into flame?
They flew the hijacked passengers all to their doom
And where buildings and fields were now stand only tombs.

Chorus:
What were their names, tell me what were their names?
Did you have a friend who went down in those flames?
What were their names, tell me what were their names--
The loved ones who died from fanatacsism's game?

'Twas September 11 in two thousand and one
That the terrible attack of the terrorists were done.
Four planes left to fly to the West Coast from the East;
All were brought down byterrorism's hateful, mad disease.

Chorus

How many dear ones perished we may never know,
But the Land Of The Free has been dealt a mighty blow.
Three buildings lay in rubble, four planes were crashed that day
And the lives of untold thousands were cruelly laid to waste.

Chorus

Sonja

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: GUEST,Genie
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 05:54 PM

How about a new verse to "Wasn't That A Time?"
Let me work on one and post it later. Maybe someone else will, too.< BR>

Genie

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 06:08 PM

BTW, the song Sorcha posted is a paste from JEFFP about HIS gal.

~S~

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 06:33 PM

Too soon for a new song for me anyway. But this one by Ian Campbell from years ago seems strangely appropriate in many ways."The sun is burning"

Especially the last verse:

Now the sun has disappeared
All is darkness, anger, pain and fear
Twisted sightless wrecks of men
Go groping on their knees and cry in pain
And the sun has disappeared

I pray it's not prophetic as well.

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: Sorcha
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 06:36 PM

Thanks, Susan, I guess I didn't really make that clear. All I did was move it from another thread. Thought more would see it here, than buried in the AmericansIII.

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 06:50 PM

I think we are all reading and writing with half a brain these days, bes/bud.

~S~

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 09:34 PM

When the towers fell,
and the world stood still,
all that we could see
was a cloud of dust
that covered all we could see.
And in our head we heard the cries
of the dead and dying,
but the screen was silent.

And nothing can ever be the same again,
since the towers fell,
and the world stood still,
and all that we could see
was a cloud of dust
that covered all we could see.
And in our head we heard the cries
of the dead and dying,
but the screen was silent.

And now we wait, hardly breathing,
until once more we see
the towers fall,
and the world stand still,
and all that we will see
will be a cloud of dust
that covered all we could see.
And in our head we will hear the cries
of the dead and dying,
and the screen will be silent.

And nothing will ever be the same again.

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Sep 01 - 11:00 PM

mm.

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: Amergin
Date: 13 Sep 01 - 06:29 PM

The title of mine and Susan's song is Unholy Cause.....

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: Rich(bodhránai gan ciall)
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 12:17 AM

This is actually a story I wrote for homework in Irish Class. My teacher assigned this before last week before the tragedy occurred, but it took a real turn when I finally put it on paper on Wednesday. Translation below.


Mo Lá Saoire Foirfe

Nuair a thug tú an tasc seo a scríobh duinn, cheap mé faoí chuairt a thug mé ar Chicago le cultúir difríoch ansin. Cheap mé faoin fhéile pobail i bPittsburgh le rinceoirí, bia, ceol agus ealaín ó moran naisiúntachta. Ba mhaith liom dul go féile pobail an-mhór le ceoltoirí as gach naisiún ag seinm le chéile. Bhéadh moran teanganna ansin ach thuigfimis na miongháireacha ar a chéile! Bhéadh an fhéile ag áit éigin le aimsir bog ach d'eireodh sé fuar go leor san oiche mar sin bheadh tine ag teastáil uainn. D'inseoimis scealta timpeall an tine agus chodloimis faoi na realtaí. Ar maidin, snamhaimis i lochanna chomh geal le criostal. D'itheoimis bricfeasta le chéile agus téadh gach duine go gniomhartha difríocha. Ritheadh deich urlair le banna cheoil tar eis banna cheoil eile agus mhuineadh muid faoina gcultúir agus ba mhían linn foghlaim!

Ach tháinig an Mháirt seo agus chuir an lá i gcuimhne dom de ar acmhain le aghaidh fuath. Níor fhéidir linnse an fhéile seo a dhéanadh. Anois, ba mo lá saoirse foirfe an Luan seo!

Risteard Rayburg



My perfect holiday

When you gave us this assignment to write, I thought of a visit I paid to Chicago with it many cultures together. And I thought about the folk festival in Pittsburgh with Dancers, food, music and art from many nationalities.
I would like to go to a folk festival with musicians from every nation playing together. their would be many languages, but we would understand the smiles on each other. It would be at a place with mild weather, but it would get cold enough at night, that we would need a fire. We would tell stories around the fire and sleep under the stars. In the morning we would swim in crystal lakes. We'd eat breakfast together and then everyone would go to different activities. Ten stages would run with band after band. We would teach about our cultures and we would want to learn.

But then this Tuesday came and the day reminded me of our capacity for hatred. It would not be posible for us to such a festival. So now, my perfect holiday would be this Monday.

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: MMario
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 11:25 AM

...our capacity for hatred. It would not be posible for us to such a festival.

Rich - the possiblility that this will become a true statement is the true horror of tuesday's events.

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: MMario
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 11:37 AM

Twin towers stood in the city, so tall to pierce the sky
Two monuments, some said, to arrogance and pride
But neither gods nor nature would cause the two to fall
But the hand of man in treachery that would destroy them all

Many nations traded within the shining walls
And tens of thousands labored for the benefit of all
The world around was watching, as the towers fell
A cloud of smoke arising, the harbinger of hell

Hours pass and days, and still we cannot tell
The number or duration of the tolling bell
In honor of the innocents, who with the towers came
Tumbling down, as did their hopes, in dust, debris and flame.

Yet who are we to finger point, or to assign the blame
Based on religion, origin, or the sound of someone's name?
Let Justice, not revenge or hate, rule now in heart and mind
And woe to those who trust that Justice shall be blind!

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: Jeri
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 02:05 PM

I've had verses popping into my head and popping out just as quickly all day. There is just too much! Perhaps it's a sign of my weirdness that I see things related that aren't. My mind is working in metaphor mode today, and trying to tie everything together.

In the first pale light of morning as I woke from fitful sleep
I heard a cold rain softly fall, and the heavens seemed to weep
I thought the rain would wash the soot of burned out lives away
And then remembered all those gone - it wouldn't be today

I looked outside on a day so bleak it mirrored my own heart
And I saw just one red flower, color setting it apart
One bit of joy in all that grey, one hope outside my door
A reason to believe where there's one bright spot, there'll be more

Went to the TV, turned it on, and saw a photograph
Three solemn firemen raised a flag upon a sturdy shaft
And that symbol stood against the ruin of all the steel and stone
And the message was "We're here for you - no one mourns alone."

I'd like to think that those who've died, won't have died in vain
Nor be a reason to inflict more suffering and pain
I'd like to think compassion that makes the tears of strangers fall
Will be the flower, the flag, the thing, that matters most of all

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: Rich(bodhránai gan ciall)
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 06:11 PM

Jeri, I'm in tears with a lump in my throat. That's absolutely beautiful.


Why can't we get together like this for something good?

Glad to read all of these, as much as it hurts.

Rich

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 07:15 PM

Lot of good things here. Thank you.

~Susan

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Sep 01 - 12:17 PM

Thanks, Jeri, MMario, and McGrath. The "Springhill, Nova Scotia" tune is the one that has been haunting my mind.

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: GUEST,KT
Date: 15 Sep 01 - 09:37 PM

Thanks, everyone. These are wonderful, and I'm sure there will be many more to come. Jeri, I'm afraid yours is going to cause my keyboard to short out from the tears. That is incredible. Have you a tune? KT

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: Jeri
Date: 15 Sep 01 - 10:55 PM

Thanks folks.

KT, I could write a tune, but I think I'd rather leave folks to find a one they know already and like, and sing it to that.

It would work to The Star of the County Down or The Lakes of Ponchartrain. These are just some ideas - the words should fit into many waltz (3/4) or march (4/4) tunes.

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: ScottyG
Date: 15 Sep 01 - 11:04 PM

I just read these, and I'm sitting here sobbing, as I have so many times this past week. You're all a great bunch, and I'm proud to be among you, if only through this medium. Here's my song contribution to this thread. Thanks for the inspiration.
We were all singing patriotic songs around the piano last night. The lump in my throat made singing difficult, so I stopped to listen to people sing through the verses of "America the Beautiful." And while they sang, words just seemed to leap into my mind. As they were finishing the last verse, I signaled Joe at the piano to keep playing, and with tears streaming down my face, I managed to sing:


Oh beautiful for fierce resolve against a cruel foe,

Those callous men with hate-filled hearts,

God's wrath they soon shall know!

America! America! The world will stand with thee,

In your brave fight for Mankind's right

To peace and liberty.


Scott

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Sep 01 - 11:23 PM

That is REALLY GOOD. You should copyright that, Scotty.

~S~

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: The Shambles
Date: 16 Sep 01 - 04:04 AM

More here Responding in song/11th September

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: Jeri
Date: 17 Sep 01 - 07:41 PM

A lament
It's not typical of a lament. There's too much anger about this for a typical lament. There's also too much strength of will required of those left behind.

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: GUEST,Jeanene
Date: 18 Sep 01 - 07:10 AM

When I Can See Through These Tears. (Jeanene Pratt©2001)

We were well on our way to the promised land,
When we were vilely set upon by an evil, outlaw band.
Somehow I survived it, but so many fell that day,
Many sisters, many bothers perished in the fray.

We were ambushed, we were beaten, left there for dead;
And my vision was blurred;I couldn't see the road ahead.
I could sense it was a crossroads but the paths were not so clear.
I had no sense of direction, couldn't see through my tears.

How can I keep my eyes on the prize?
How can I go on with these tears in my eyes?
When I can feel more than this hate,
Will my vision be clear
When I can reach beyond my rage,
When I can see through these tears?

This rage could drive me onward faster than the wind
But with no sense of direction where would I begin?
Each path that that I might travel holds perils of its own
And my zeal could be my downfall if I take the wrong way home. 
How can I keep my eyes on the prize?
How can I go on with these tears in my eyes?
When I can feel more than this hate,
Will my vision be clear
When I can reach beyond my rage,
When I can see through these tears?

I'm still weeping for my countrymen, for those who have been lost.
And my passion drives me onward--who cares about the cost?
Yet I have to get my bearings, I must regain my sight
Lest I plow ahead blindly and be lost without the light.

I know I must keep my eyes on the prize?
It's hard to go on with these tears in my eyes.
When I can feel more than this hate,
My path will be more clear
When I can reach beyond my rage,
When I can see through these tears.
When I can reach beyond my rage,
When I can see through these tears.

[e-mail]

[I don't know how to post the tune, but it's in a moderate 2/4 time and a pretty simple folk/country-western type chord progression.]

Jeanene

[

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: GUEST,Scorpio
Date: 18 Sep 01 - 09:08 PM

There are two other links like this. Can someone do the blue clicky things to connect them?

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Sep 01 - 11:43 PM

I would not worry too much about linking all the similar threads-- Katlaughing has worked up an index of all the 9/11 threads she could find, and that one can be bookmarked to find all the others.

Her index is here:

CLICK!

~S~

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: GUEST,Jeanene
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 01:52 AM

New verse for America The Beautiful.

Oh, beautiful, for stern resolve to fight for liberty,
For those who give the last full ounce of their humanity.

America, America! May you always be
A land for those who've loved and chosen peace and harmony!

New verse by Jeanene Pratt ©2001 [e-mail]

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: GUEST,Jeanene
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 03:00 AM

Thanks, WSYWIG.

Jeanene

BTW, What does WSYWIG stand for, if I may ask? Just curious.

Jeanene

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: Calach
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 05:21 AM

I'm not usually into this kind of thing, but was moved to write this questioning of faith.

The Light Of Heaven

I don't know where to go for the light in heaven
I'm waiting for someone to show me the light in heaven
I'm looking for some spiritual releif
Because there's happenings here on earth beyond beleif.
And I hope that you can feel our grief, up there in heaven

I can say, I've lost my way, to the path to heaven
I'm cut astray, drifting away, from the path to heaven.
I'm trying very, very hard to understand
But for the life of me I cannot see the plan
So I await an explanation from the man, up there in heaven.

(Bridge)
Images assaulting on my mind
But there's no sanctuary here that I can find
I'm almost wishing that I'd lost the sense of sight
Because the TV hypnotises me each night

My faith's not gone, just held in scorn, my dream of heaven.
I'll hold on, and feel the thorns in my dream of heaven
I know the way is written in the book
But my eyes are filled with tears and I can't look
And I hope that your foundations shook, up there in heaven.

My thanks for reading this.
Calach (Edinburgh).

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: MMario
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 09:04 AM

jeanene - (W)hat (Y)ou (S)ee (I)s (W)hat (Y)ou (G)et

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: jeffp
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 09:27 AM

Thanks, Sorcha for copying Emily's poem here. She has written several poems about the "events," because she can't not write. Here's another one.

What is war???
Years of unexplained torture…
Souls are lost,
Such a highly priced cost.
Lord, why are we so ungrateful??
It disgusts me we're so hateful.
Damn, everything could be gone with the blink of an eye.
Still, it's hard to understand why.
At the same time we continue to live our lives in such sin and lies.
While, slowly, this pain kills us inside.
How can we be so evil?
These feelings are too deceitful.
Knowin' damn well you don't want to murder another human.
We keep repeating these destructive actions again and again.
This world is so full of sin.
While innocent others just got born into this.
And generation after generation still focus on revenge.
Lord, we are too close to the end.
And eventually nothing will matter.
With no remorse we have seen our own kind's brains splatter.
You think this would definitely change us.
But, it only made everyone worse.
Can't you see,
What we are doing to all human beings.
All the bloodshed -
The innocent dead.
Yet, we still wanna rebel.
Knowing we're falling closer and closer to Hell.
Shit, all we can do is pray -
And beg for another peaceful day……….

by Emily Pennington

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 10:14 AM

Look here.

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: Jeri
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 12:17 PM

I may not comment on the poems/songs, but I read each one and value them all for the voice they give your, and often my, feelings.

I copied this from the In Memorium 9-11 thread.
by I,hurricane (Dan Kelly)

The moon rose over the harbor
and was confused by what he saw
"those enormous buildings, down yonder
I looked but I don't know where they are."

They were new they were shiny and friendly
I enjoyed how they reached for the stars
they twinkled and glimmered most brightly
With the dreams I could feel from afar

Oh! spotlights and workers and mourners
They've fallen like many before
I'll miss them like all of the thousands
Who once thought to knock at my door

Keep building my friends for I thank you
For thinking of me all the time
Wall-builders, pharoahs and caliphs
Forever you stay in my mind

I was loney before all your dreaming
Built greetings meant only for me
I know you will never stop building
Your gifts though they fall to the sea.

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: GUEST,Jeanene
Date: 19 Sep 01 - 10:59 PM

MMario, I feel like I should say, "Duh!"
Thanks for cluing me in.
Jeanene

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: Charley Noble
Date: 20 Sep 01 - 01:25 PM

The "Light of Heaven" above encouraged me to dig up one of my mother's old songs; now I should say that mother was never one to find any comfort in the newer gods. She respects nature and has fought to protect the environment, and sometimes she communes with the older, some one say, pagan gods:

TROUBLE IN HEAVEN
(Words by Dahlov Ipcar, Circa 1975 Tune: The Falcon by Richard Farina)


The archangels we meet all carry spears
And have an angry look as if to say,
"Though God's been dead in Heaven these long years,
Don't be trying to put us away!"

Chorus:

The lessor angels form protective bands,
They dare not go out late at night;
They speak in whispers of "trouble" in this land,
They, no longer seek the light.

Our prophets say He was a God of Love,
And speak of a freedom we never knew;
But by their every action seem to prove
That God was a tyrant and a bigot too.

Chorus:

The lessor angels form protective bands,
They dare not go out late at night;
They speak in whispers of "trouble" in this land,
They, no longer seek the light.

Final (spoken):
Lucifer smiles as patiently he waits,
Until the day we open wide the gates.


I especially liked hearing the President's diatribe in the Washington Cathedral last night on "West Wing;" I only wish I could understand his Latin as well.

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Sep 01 - 09:14 AM

Another friend of mine sent this Dr. Seuss parody which I have the bad taste to post here:

"Perhaps better than a lot of current rhetoric."
>>THE BINCH
>>
>>Every U down in Uville liked U.S. a lot,
>>But the Binch, who lived Far East of Uville, did not.
>>The Binch hated U.S! the whole U.S. way!
>>Now don't ask me why, for nobody can say,
>>It could be his turban was screwed on too tight.
>>Or the sun from the desert had beaten too bright
>>But I think that the most likely reason of all
>>May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.
>>
>>But, Whatever the reason, his heart or his turban,
>>He stood facing Uville, the part that was urban.
>>"They're doing their business," he snarled from his perch.
>>"They're raising their families! They're going to church!
>>They're leading the world, and their empire is thriving,
>>I MUST keep the S's and U's from surviving!"
>>
>>Tomorrow, he knew, all the U's and the S's,
>>Would put on their pants and their shirts and their dresses,
>>They'd go to their offices, playgrounds and schools,
>>And abide by their U and S values and rules,
>>
>>And then they'd do something he liked least of all,
>>Every U down in U-ville, the tall and the small,
>>Would stand all united, each U and each S,
>>And they'd sing Uville's anthem, "God bless us! God bless!"
>>All around their Twin Towers of Uville, they'd stand,
>>and their voices would drown every sound in the land.
>>
>>"I must stop that singing," Binch said with a smirk,
>>And he had an idea--an idea that might work!
>>The Binch stole some U airplanes in U morning hours,
>>And crashed them right into the Uville Twin Towers.
>>"They'll wake to disaster!" he snickered, so sour,
>>"And how can they sing when they can't find a tower?"
>>
>>The Binch cocked his ear as they woke from their sleeping,
>>All set to enjoy their U-wailing and weeping,
>>Instead he heard something that started quite low,
>>And it built up quite slow, but it started to grow--
>>And the Binch heard the most unpredictable thing...
>>And he couldn't believe it--they started to sing!
>>
>>He stared down at U-ville, not trusting his eyes,
>>What he saw was a shocking, disgusting surprise!
>>Every U down in U-ville, the tall and the small,
>>Was singing! Without any towers at all!
>>He HADN'T stopped U-Ville from singing! It sung!
>>For down deep in the hearts of the old and the young,
>>Those Twin Towers were standing, called Hope and called Pride,
>>And you can't smash the towers we hold deep inside.
>>
>>So we circle the sites where our heroes did fall,
>>With a hand in each hand of the tall and the small,
>>And we mourn for our losses while knowing we'll cope,
>>For we still have inside that U-Pride and U-Hope.
>>
>>For America means a bit more than tall towers,
>>It means more than wealth or political powers,
>>It's more than our enemies ever could guess,
>>So may God bless America! Bless us! God bless!
>>
>>author unknown

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Sep 01 - 10:07 AM

Remember me,
The voices sigh,
As dusky autumn moves across the land.
As breezes cool and light begins to fade,
Remember me.

Remember me,
The fathers call.
Recall my strong embrace that stopped your fall,
The stories shared, the secret pacts we made.
Remember me.

Remember me,
The mothers cry.
My smiles will light your dreams
and warm the nights.
My love will keep you safe when you're afraid.
Remember me.

Remember me,
The children say.
When seasons turn and turn again, and
young things grow.
We'll be in every tender leaf and blade.
Remember me.

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: GUEST,PeteBoom (at work)
Date: 21 Sep 01 - 10:23 AM

Some quite good stuff here - rather liked Sonja's reworking of Reuben James. I've one that was finished that I'm now reworking after last week (the message would be too easily misinterpreted).

The chorus is going to stay the same -

We'll stand and we'll fight and we'll never give in - Tho' the world stands against us, our freedom's no sin! We'll fight for the future, remember the past - And a voice like a trumpet cries "This I'll defend!"

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: GUEST,Sonja
Date: 22 Sep 01 - 02:17 AM

Pete, I would like to see your complete revision of Reuben James when you have it finished. Can you post it here?

Is the "We'll stand and we'll fight," part your last verse or is that the chorus? If you are keeping Woody's chorus, what are you substituting for "on the good Reuben James?" Please clarify.

BTW, I love the last verse which was added to Woody's song by Lee Hays, I think. You could update that verse, something like this:

Many (or "Six thousand") lives were lost when the towers went down,
And you never saw more courage than we saw in New York town. We know we will rebuild, but still I wonder why The worst of us must fight and the best of us must die.

That's just a rough draft, like my first submission was. I do want to see what you do with the song.

Sonja

PS

There is another new song that should be connected to this thread.You can find it in the forum under this heading:

Subject: New song from downtown NYC From: InOBU
Date: 18-Sep-01 - 12:19 PM
Shop: NEIGHBORS
(I don't do clickies.)

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: GUEST,Jeanene
Date: 22 Sep 01 - 03:01 AM

This is a revision of the song I posted above, with a new verse and new first chorus. The song/poem, as a reaction to the events of the past 10 days, is evolving.

When I Can See Through These Tears. (Jeanene Pratt © 2001)

We were travelling through a garden, rich beyond compare--
Some called it the promised land and wanted to stay there.
But the garden with its bounty was not shared alike by all
And among us there were many who heard tomorrow's call.

Yes, many there among us envisioned what could be,
And they said, "Let's push onward till the world can all agree
That till everyone can share it, there is no promised land
And freedom's just an empty word till tyranny is banned."

"Sisters, brothers, keep your eyes on the prize.
We need to go on, though there be dust in our eyes.
Though the journey before us may take many years,
Before us lies the promised land worth all our toil and tears."


We were well on our journey to the promised land,
When we were vilely ambushed by an unseen outlaw band.
Somehow I survived it, but so many fell that day,
Many sisters, many brothers perished in the fray.

We were terrorized and beaten, left there for dead;
And my vision was blurred; I couldn't see the road ahead.
I could tell it was a crossroads; beyond that it was not clear.
I couldn't find my direction through the smoke and my tears.

How can I keep my eyes on the prize?
How can I go on with these tears in my eyes?
When I can feel more than this hate, will my vision be clear
When I can reach beyond my rage, When I Can See Through These Tears?

This grief and rage could drive me onward faster than the wind
But with no sense of direction where would I begin?
Each path that I might travel holds perils of its own
And my zeal could be my downfall if I take the wrong way home.

How can I keep my eyes on the prize?
How can I go on with these tears in my eyes?
When I can feel more than this hate, will my vision be clear
When I can reach beyond my rage, When I Can See Through These Tears?

I'm still weeping for my countrymen, for those who have been lost.
And my passion drives me onward--who cares about the cost?
Yet I have to get my bearings, I must regain my sight
Lest I plow ahead blindly and be lost without the light.

I know I must keep my eyes on the prize.
It's hard to go on with these tears in my eyes.
When I can feel more than this hate, My path will be more clear
When I can reach beyond my rage,
When I can see through these tears,

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: GUEST,Harry the Hat
Date: 22 Sep 01 - 09:20 AM

I wrote this the other day, I hope you enjoy it Harry

I watched it on tv, and saw the billowing smoke
And I listened intently as the reporter spoke.
He said a plane had hit the tower a few minutes ago
Why had this happened, they just did not know.
As they were talking, I couldn't believe the screen
Another plane hit the other tower, man what a scene
A ball of flame shot in the air and smoke filled the sky
It was a senseless act, and all I can ask is why
Panic filled the streets while ashes covered the ground
And as we watched one tower came tumbling down.
My heart sank in my chest as I watched the devistation
Yet the emergency personel rushed in without hesitation
Then to add the horror the second tower also collapsed
This was so much more than any person could grasp
People were falling with the building, it saddened me so
To see life taken away, this was not the way to go
But still the nightmare wasn't over, another bulletin came on
It seems as though a third plane, had flown into the Pentagon
More fire and more smoke, and yes even more death
Tears filled my eyes, while the loss had taken my breath
Who could do such a thing, as to hijack a passenger plane
And fly it to their own death, they'd have to be insane
At this point we thought it was over, but wait another alert
A plane crashed in Pennsylvania, but no one on ground was hurt
A total of 266 people had perished just in the planes alone
Would the people behind all this terror ever become known
America has been attacked, and I don't mean just a few
I mean every American that ever stood up for the red white and blue
We have to do what we could, this is a threat to our lives
Our kids, our parents, our brother and sisters, our husbands and wives
Everyone is involved, not only New York and Washington DC
We as a nation were attacked, a nation we fight for to stay free
So do what you can to help fellow Americans, in this time of grief
And pray to God above to help us all to find some kind of relief

---

Line breaks - <br> - added. --JoeClone

Subject: RE: New Songs for 9-11-01
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 22 Sep 01 - 01:29 PM

Here's a song quarried from that poem I put in earlier:

When the towers fell, and the world stood still,
all we could see was a cloud of dust.
A cloud of white dust, a cloud of white dust,
When the towers fell in a cloud of dust.

A cloud of white dust, a cloud of white dust,
And it covered the world in a cloud of dust,

When the towers fell, and the world stood still,
All we could hear was a silent screen.
A silent screen, a silent screen,
All we could hear was a silent screen.

In our heads were the cries of the dead and the dying,
But all we could hear was a silent screen.

And now as we wait, can we breath at all
As we wait and we wait for the bombs to fall.
And we wait and we wait, and we wait once more,
And we wait and we wait for the bombs to fall.

And when the bombs fall, and the world stands still,
all we will see is a cloud of dust.
A cloud of white dust, a cloud of white dust,
When the bombs fall in a cloud of dust.

A cloud of white dust, a cloud of white dust,
As it covers the world in a cloud of dust.

And when the bombs fall and the world stands still,
All we will hear is a silent scream.
A silent scream, a silent scream,
All we will hear is a silent scream.

In our heads are the cries of the dead and the dying,
But all we can hear is a silent scream.

And since the towers fell, and the world stood still
Nothing can ever be quite the same
The world is changed, and come what will,
nothing can ever be quite the same.

22nd September.